Scope
Little is known about the effect of blood vitamin D status on the gut mycobiota (i.e., fungi), a crucial component of the gut microbial ecosystem. The study aims to explore the association ...between 25‐hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D and gut mycobiota and to investigate the link between the identified mycobial features and blood glycemic traits.
Methods and results
The study examines the association between serum 25(OH)D levels and the gut mycobiota in the Westlake Precision Birth Cohort, which includes pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The study develops a genetic risk score (GRS) for 25(OH)D to validate the observational results. In both the prospective and cross‐sectional analyses, the vitamin D is associated with gut mycobiota diversity. Specifically, the abundance of Saccharomyces is significantly lower in the vitamin D‐sufficient group than in the vitamin D‐deficient group. The GRS of 25(OH)D is inversely associated with the abundance of Saccharomyces. Moreover, the Saccharomyces is positively associated with blood glucose levels.
Conclusion
Blood vitamin D status is associated with the diversity and composition of gut mycobiota in women with GDM, which may provide new insights into the mechanistic understanding of the relationship between vitamin D levels and metabolic health.
There is limited research conducted on the relationship between vitamin D and gut mycobiota. This study reveals that individuals with sufficient serum vitamin D exhibit a decreased abundance of fecal Saccharomyces. The results obtain from the vitamin D genetic risk score analysessupport this relationship. The study also identifies the abundance of Saccharomyces is positively associated with fasting glucose.
The intercalation compounds with various electrochemically active or inactive elements in the layered structure have been the subject of increasing interest due to their high capacities, good ...reversibility, simple structures, and ease of synthesis. However, their reversible intercalation/deintercalation redox chemistries in previous compounds involve a single cationic redox reaction or a cumulative cationic and anionic redox reaction. Here we report an anionic redox chemistry and structural stabilization of layered sodium chromium sulfide. It was discovered that the sulfur in sodium chromium sulfide is electrochemically active, undergoing oxidation/reduction rather than chromium. Significantly, sodium ions can successfully move out and into without changing its lattice parameter c, which is explained in terms of the occurrence of chromium/sodium vacancy antisite during desodiation and sodiation processes. Our present work not only enriches the electrochemistry of layered intercalation compounds, but also extends the scope of investigation on high-capacity electrodes.The rational design of intercalation electrodes is largely confined to the optimization of redox chemistry of transition metals and oxygen. Here, the authors report the single anionic redox process in NaCrS
where it is sulfur rather than chromium that works as the electrochemical active species.
A planar antenna with dual‐linearly polarised end‐fire radiation is proposed. A tapered double‐sided symmetrical spoof surface plasmon polariton (SSPP) transmission line (TL) with tilted unit cells ...is proposed. The SSPP TL can operate in two types of first high‐order modes: the first high‐order even mode and the first high‐order odd mode. A two‐port feeding structure is designed to feed the SSPP TL. When the signal is fed from port 1, the energy travels through the substrate integrated waveguide and eventually excites the even mode on the SSPP TL, leading to vertically polarised radiation. Conversely, when the signal is input from port 2, the energy travels through the stripline‐to‐slotline transition and eventually excites the odd mode on the SSPP TL, generating horizontally polarised radiation. According to the measured results, a 54.6% overlapping bandwidth is obtained. The horizontal and the vertical polarisations achieve a maximum gain of 14.7 and 12.2 dBi, respectively.
A tapered double‐sided symmetrical spoof surface plasmon polariton (SSPP) transmission line (TL) with tilted unit cells is proposed. When the signal is fed from port 1, the energy travels through the substrate integrated waveguide and eventually excites the even mode on the SSPP TL, leading to vertically polarised radiation. Conversely, when the signal is input from port 2, the energy travels through the stripline‐to‐slotline transition and eventually excites the odd mode on the SSPP TL, generating horizontally polarised radiation.
Purpose
Microvascular invasion (MVI) is a valuable predictor of survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. This study developed predictive models using eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) ...and deep learning based on CT images to predict MVI preoperatively.
Methods
In total, 405 patients were included. A total of 7302 radiomic features and 17 radiological features were extracted by a radiomics feature extraction package and radiologists, respectively. We developed a XGBoost model based on radiomics features, radiological features and clinical variables and a three-dimensional convolutional neural network (3D-CNN) to predict MVI status. Next, we compared the efficacy of the two models.
Results
Of the 405 patients, 220 (54.3%) were MVI positive, and 185 (45.7%) were MVI negative. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) of the Radiomics-Radiological-Clinical (RRC) Model and 3D-CNN Model in the training set were 0.952 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.923–0.973) and 0.980 (95% CI 0.959–0.993), respectively (
p
= 0.14). The AUROCs of the RRC Model and 3D-CNN Model in the validation set were 0.887 (95% CI 0.797–0.947) and 0.906 (95% CI 0.821–0.960), respectively (
p
= 0.83). Based on the MVI status predicted by the RRC and 3D-CNN Models, the mean recurrence-free survival (RFS) was significantly better in the predicted MVI-negative group than that in the predicted MVI-positive group (RRC Model: 69.95 vs. 24.80 months,
p
< 0.001; 3D-CNN Model: 64.06 vs. 31.05 months,
p
= 0.027).
Conclusion
The RRC Model and 3D-CNN models showed considerable efficacy in identifying MVI preoperatively. These machine learning models may facilitate decision-making in HCC treatment but requires further validation.
A novel wideband vertically polarized planar endfire antenna based on the first and the second high-order modes of spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) is proposed in this letter. A double-sided ...SSPP transmission line (TL) is used to produce vertically polarized radiation. By replacing the uniform stub in the conventional SSPP cells with a step-impedance-resonator (SIR) shaped stub, the bandgap between the first and the second high-order modes is eliminated. The double-sided SIR-shaped SSPP cells are tilted to make the maximum radiation point in the endfire direction. Dielectric covers perforated with air vias are added to the top and bottom surfaces of the SSPP TL to generate endfire radiation and enhance antenna gain. A grounded coplanar waveguide to double-sided parallel-strip line transition is designed to feed the radiator. A prototype of the proposed antenna has been fabricated and measured. The proposed antenna achieves a fractional bandwidth of 91.6% from 12.9 to 34.6 GHz and a peak gain of 17.3 dBi.
Ras gene mutation and/or overexpression are drivers in the progression of cancers, including colorectal cancer. Blocking the Ras signaling has become a significant strategy for cancer therapy. ...Previously, we constructed a recombinant scFv, RGD-p21Ras-scFv by linking RGD membrane-penetrating peptide gene with the anti-p21Ras scFv gene. Here, we expressed prokaryotically RGD-p21Ras-scFv on a pilot scale, then investigated the anti-tumor effect and the mechanism of blocking Ras signaling.
The E. coli bacteria which could highly express RGD-p21Ras-scFv was screened and grown in 100 L fermentation tank to produce RGD-p21Ras-scFv on optimized induced expression conditions. The scFv was purified from E. coli bacteria using His Ni-NTA column. ELISA was adopted to test the immunoreactivity of RGD-p21Ras-scFv against p21Ras proteins, and the IC50 of RGD-p21Ras-scFv was analyzed by CCK-8. Immunofluorescence colocalization and pull-down assays were used to determine the localization and binding between RGD-p21Ras-scFv and p21Ras. The interaction forces between RGD-p21Ras-scFv and p21Ras after binding were analyzed by molecular docking, and the stability after binding was determined by molecular dynamics simulations. p21Ras-GTP interaction was detected by Ras pull-down. Changes in the MEK-ERK /PI3K-AKT signaling paths downstream of Ras were detected by WB assays. The anti-tumor activity of RGD-p21Ras-scFv was investigated by nude mouse xenograft models.
The technique of RGD-p21Ras-scFv expression on a pilot scale was established. The wet weight of the harvested bacteria was 31.064 g/L, and 31.6 mg RGD-p21Ras-scFv was obtained from 1 L of bacterial medium. The purity of the recombinant antibody was above 85%, we found that the prepared on a pilot scale RGD-p21Ras-scFv could penetrate the cell membrane of colon cancer cells and bind to p21Ras, then led to reduce of p21Ras-GTP (active p21Ras). The phosphorylation of downstream effectors MEK-ERK /PI3K-AKT was downregulated. In vivo antitumor activity assays showed that the RGD-p21Ras-scFv inhibited the proliferation of colorectal cancer cell lines.
RGD-p21Ras-scFv prokaryotic expressed on pilot-scale could inhibited Ras-driven colorectal cancer growth by partially blocking p21Ras-GTP and might be able to be a hidden therapeutic antibody for treating RAS-driven tumors.
A novel strategy of a two-step cation-exchange approach assisted with a thermal oxidation was successfully developed to prepare Ag nanoparticles uniformly anchored onto porous CuO nanobelts. They ...exhibited an excellent electrochemical sensing performance toward dopamine in the actual serum environment, owing to the synergic effect from this special nanostructure, sensing characteristics of CuO and the catalytic activity of Ag nanoparticles.
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•A two-step cation-exchange approach assisted with a thermal oxidation has been developed to prepare Ag/CuO porous nanobelts..•The Ag(0)/Ag(I) cycle greatly enhanced the electrochemical catalytic oxidation of DA.•The fabricated electrochemical sensors exhibited an excellent selectivity, stability and repeatability toward DA.
The potential capability to rapid, highly sensitive, and selective diagnose neurotransmitters in human serum environment is extremely crucial for clinical biology. Herein an electrochemical sensor based on Ag nanoparticles anchored onto CuO porous nanobelts (Ag/CuO PNBs) was constructed for the ultrasensitive determination of dopamine (DA), which was prepared via a facile two-step cation-exchange reaction followed by in-situ thermal conversion. The Ag/CuO PNBs exhibited an excellent electrochemical sensing performance to DA. The linear range for the detection of DA was ranged from 0.04 to 10 μM with an outstanding detection limit of 7.0 nM. Cyclic voltammograms (CVs) were employed to investigate kinetic information of multiphase electron transfer reactions, revealing that Ag nanoparticles significantly enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward DA owing to the participation of Ag(0)/Ag(I) cycle. Meanwhile, the Ag/CuO PNBs showed the significant selectivity, remarkable stability and repeatability, as well as attractive reproducibility (RSD ≤ 3.7 %). Furthermore, the practicality of the developed sensor has been evaluated by analyzing DA in serum-containing electrolyte, and the recovery in the range of 95.7∼111.1 % was obtained. The results confirmed that the as-prepared sensor presented a significant promise for the detection of DA in real sample analysis.
The relationship between muscle and prognosis, especially that between muscle distribution across different body parts, and the related prognosis is not well established.
To investigate the ...relationship between muscle distribution and all-cause and cause-specific mortality and their potential modifiers.
Longitudinal cohort study. C-index, IDI, and NRI were used to determine the best indicator of prognosis. COX regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship between variables and outcomes. Interaction and subgroup analyses were applied to identify the potential modifiers.
A total of 5052 participants (weighted: 124,841,420) extracted from the NHANES 2003-2006 of median age 45 years and constituting 50.3% men were assessed. For validation, we included 3040 patients from the INSCOC cohort in China.
Muscle mass and distribution. KEY RESULTS: COX regression analysis revealed that upper limbs (HR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.33-0.51), lower limbs (HR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.47-0.64), trunk (HR = 0.71, 95% CI, 0.59-0.85), gynoid (HR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.38-0.58), and total lean mass (HR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.45-0.66) were all associated with the better survival of participants (P
< 0.001). The changes in the lean mass ratio of the upper and lower limbs and the lean mass ratio of the android and gynoid attenuated the protective effect of lean mass. Age and sex acted as potential modifiers, and the relationship between lean mass and the prognosis was more significant in men and middle-aged participants when compared to that in other age groups. Sensitive analyses depicted that despite lean mass having a long-term impact on prognosis (15 years), it has a more substantial effect on near-term survival (5 years).
Muscle mass and its distribution affect the prognosis with a more significant impact on the near-term than that on the long-term prognosis. Age and sex acted as vital modifiers.
Background
The development and progression of cancer cachexia are connected to systemic inflammation and physical performance. However, few relevant studies have reported the survival outcomes ...prediction of systemic inflammation and physical performance in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) cachexia. This study investigated the prognostic prediction value of systemic inflammation and performance status in patients with CRC cachexia.
Methods
This multicentre cohort study prospectively collected 905 patients with CRC (58.3% males, 59.3 ± 11.5 years old). Cancer cachexia was diagnosed according to the 2011 Fearon Cachexia Diagnostic Consensus. The prognostic value of systematic inflammatory indicators was determined using the area under the curve, concordance index, and multivariate survival analysis. Performance status was evaluated with Eastern Coopertive Oncology Group performance score (ECOG‐PS). Survival data were analysed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.
Results
The area under the curve, concordance index and survival analysis showed that C‐reactive protein (CRP), lymphocyte to CRP ratio (LCR) and CRP to albumin ratio (CAR) were more stable and consistent with the survival of patients with CRC, both in non‐cachexia and cachexia populations. Among patients with CRC cachexia, high inflammation low LCR, hazard ratio (HR) 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 3.33 (2.08–5.32); high CAR, HR (95% CI) = 2.92 (1.88–4.55); high CRP, HR (95% CI) = 3.12 (2.08–4.67) indicated a worse prognosis, compared with non‐cachexia patients low LCR, HR (95% CI) = 2.28 (1.65–3.16); high CAR, HR (95% CI) = 2.36 (1.71–3.25); high CRP, HR (95% CI) = 2.58 (1.85–3.60). Similarly, among patients with CRC cachexia, high PS ECOG‐PS 2, HR (95% CI) = 1.61 (1.04–2.50); ECOG‐PS 3/4, HR (95% CI) = 2.91 (1.69–5.00) indicated a worse prognosis, compared with patients with CRC without cachexia ECOG‐PS 2, HR (95% CI) = 1.28 (0.90–1.81); ECOG‐PS 3/4, HR (95% CI) = 2.41 (1.32–4.39). Patients with CRC cachexia with an ECOG‐PS score of 2 or 3–4 and a high inflammation had a shorter median survival time, compared with patients with an ECOG‐PS score of 0/1 and a low inflammation.
Conclusions
The systemic inflammatory markers LCR, CAR and CRP have stable prognostic values in patients with CRC. The ECOG‐PS may be an independent risk factor for CRC. Combined evaluation of systemic inflammation and ECOG‐PS in patients with CRC cachexia could provide a simple survival prediction.
Background
Acupuncture is commonly used for migraine prophylaxis; however, evidence of its efficacy was equivocal.
Aim
We aimed to evaluated the efficacy of acupuncture in migraine prophylaxis and ...calculated the required information size (RIS) to determine whether further clinical studies are required.
Methods
We searched Cochrane library, EMBASE and PubMed from inception to April 23th, 2020. Randomized trials that compared acupuncture with conventional drug therapy or sham acupuncture were included. The primary outcome was migraine episodes. Secondary outcomes were responder rate and adverse event.
Results
Twenty studies (
n
= 3380) met the inclusion criteria. When it comes to migraine episodes, Acupuncture was superior over sham acupuncture SMD = − 0.29, 95% CI (− 0.47 to − 0.11),
P
= 0.002 after treatment, while the difference between acupuncture and prophylactic drugs was not significant SMD = − 0.21, 95% CI (− 0.42 to 0.00),
P
= 0.06.Both TSA graphs indicated that more RCTs are needed. As for responder rate, the results after treatment showed that acupuncture was statistically significantly better than sham acupuncture RR 1.30, 95% CI (1.09–1.55),
P
= 0.003 as well as conventional drugs RR 1.24, 95% CI (1.04–1.48),
P
= 0.01. Both of their cumulative Z-curves intersected with the trial sequential monitoring boundaries favoring acupuncture. Compared to prophylactic medication, acupuncture can cause less adverse events RR 0.34, 95% CI (0.14–0.81),
P
= 0.01.
Conclusion
Acupuncture can reduce migraine episodes compared to sham one and can be an alternative and safe prophylactic treatment for conventional drugs therapy, but it should be further verified through more RCTs. Available studies suggested acupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture and conventional drugs in terms of responder rate as verified by TSA.
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