Photocatalyst/metal-free sequential C-N/C-S bond formation:Synthesis of S-arylisothioureas via photoinduced EDA complex activation

A photocatalyst-free visible-light-promoted three-component reaction of thianthrenium salts,isothiocyanates,and amines is presented,which affords a rapid and efficient approach to S-arylisothioureas under mild conditions.This developed method exhibits the advantages of readily available raw materials,broad substrate scope,good functional tolerance,and operational simplicity.It is worth mentioning that the byproduct thianthrene can be recycled in quantity,ultimately maximizing the atomic economy of the reaction and avoiding chemical waste.Mechanism investigations support the strategy involving a photoinduced EDA complex.

Optimal Scheduling Strategy of Source-Load-Storage Based onWind Power Absorption Benefit

In recent years,the proportion of installed wind power in the three north regions where wind power bases are concentrated is increasing,but the peak regulation capacity of the power grid in the three north regions of China is limited,resulting in insufficient local wind power consumption capacity.Therefore,this paper proposes a two-layer optimal scheduling strategy based on wind power consumption benefits to improve the power grid’s wind power consumption capacity.The objective of the uppermodel is tominimize the peak-valley difference of the systemload,which ismainly to optimize the system load by using the demand response resources,and to reduce the peak-valley difference of the system load to improve the peak load regulation capacity of the grid.The lower scheduling model is aimed at maximizing the system operation benefit,and the scheduling model is selected based on the rolling schedulingmethod.The load-side schedulingmodel needs to reallocate the absorbed wind power according to the response speed,absorption benefit,and curtailment penalty cost of the two DR dispatching resources.Finally,the measured data of a power grid are simulated by MATLAB,and the results show that:the proposed strategy can improve the power grid’s wind power consumption capacity and get a large wind power consumption benefit.

Network-pharmacology-based research on protective effects and underlying mechanism of Shuxin decoction against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury with diabetes

BACKGROUND Patients with diabetes mellitus are at higher risk of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury(MI/RI).Shuxin decoction(SXT)is a proven recipe modification from the classic herbal formula"Wu-tou-chi-shi-zhi-wan"according to the traditional Chinese medicine theory.It has been successfully used to alleviate secondary MI/RI in patients with diabetes mellitus in the clinical setting.However,the underlying mechanism is still unclear.AIM To further determine the mechanism of SXT in attenuating MI/RI associated with diabetes.METHODS This paper presents an ensemble model combining network pharmacology and biology.The Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database was accessed to select key components and potential targets of the SXT.In parallel,therapeutic targets associated with MI/RI in patients with diabetes were screened from various databases including Gene Expression Omnibus,DisGeNet,Genecards,Drugbank,OMIM,and PharmGKB.The potential targets of SXT and the therapeutic targets related to MI/RI in patients with diabetes were intersected and subjected to bioinformatics analysis using the Database for Annotation,Visualization and Integrated Discovery.The major results of bioinformatics analysis were subsequently validated by animal experiments.RESULTS According to the hypothesis derived from bioinformatics analysis,SXT could possibly ameliorate lipid metabolism disorders and exert anti-apoptotic effects in MI/RI associated with diabetes by reducing oxidized low density lipoprotein(LDL)and inhibiting the advanced glycation end products(AGE)-receptor for AGE(RAGE)signaling pathway.Subsequent animal experiments confirmed the hypothesis.The treatment with a dose of SXT(2.8 g/kg/d)resulted in a reduction in oxidized LDL,AGEs,and RAGE,and regulated the level of blood lipids.Besides,the expression of apoptosis-related proteins such as Bax and cleaved caspase 3 was down-regulated,whereas Bcl-2 expression was up-regulated.The findings indicated that SXT could inhibit myocardial apoptosis and improve cardiac function in MI/RI in diabetic rats.CONCLUSION This study indicated the active components and underlying molecular therapeutic mechanisms of SXT in MI/RI with diabetes.Moreover,animal experiments verified that SXT could regulate the level of blood lipids,alleviate cardiomyocyte apoptosis,and improve cardiac function through the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway.

Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio predicts overall survival of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio(FAR)has been found to be of prognostic significance for several types of malignant tumors.However,less is known about the association between FAR and survival outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)patients.AIM To explore the association between FAR and prognosis and survival in patients with HCC.METHODS A total of 366 histologically confirmed HCC patients diagnosed between 2013 and 2018 in a provincial cancer hospital in southwestern China were retrospectively selected.Relevant data were extracted from the hospital information system.The optimal cutoff for baseline serum FAR measured upon disease diagnosis was established using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the crude and adjusted associations between FAR and the overall survival(OS)of the HCC patients while controlling for various covariates.The restricted cubic spline(RCS)was applied to estimate the dose-response trend in the FAR-OS association.RESULTS The optimal cutoff value for baseline FAR determined by the ROC was 0.081.Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model revealed that a lower baseline serum FAR level was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.43(95%confidence interval:1.87–3.15)in the OS of HCC patients,with identifiable dose-response trend in the RCS.Subgroup analysis showed that this FAR-OS association was more prominent in HCC patients with a lower baseline serum aspartate aminotransferase or carbohydrate antigen 125 level.CONCLUSION Serum FAR is a prominent prognostic indicator for HCC.Intervention measures aimed at reducing FAR might result in survival benefit for HCC patients.

High efficient Raman sideband cooling and strong three-body recombination of atoms

We report a highly efficient three-dimensional degenerated Raman sideband cooling(3D dRSC)that enhances the loading of a magnetically levitated optical dipole trap,and observe the strong atom loss due to the three-body recombination.The 3D dRSC is implemented to obtain 5×10^(7)Cs atoms with the temperature of~480 nK.The cold temperature enables 1.8×10^(7)atoms loaded into a crossed dipole trap with an optimized excessive levitation magnetic gradient.Compared to the loading of atoms from a bare magneto-optical trap or the gray-molasses cooling,there is a significant increase in the number of atoms loaded into the optical dipole trap.We derive for the three-body recombination coefficient of L_(3)=7.73×10^(-25)cm^(6)/s by analyzing the strong atom loss at a large scattering length of 1418 Bohr radius,and discover the transition from the strong three-body loss to the dominant one-body loss.Our result indicates that the lifetime of atoms in the optical dipole trap is finally decided by the one-body loss after the initial strong three-body loss.

Locally Enhanced Flow and Electric Fields Through a Tip Effect for Efficient Flow‑Electrode Capacitive Deionization

Low-electrode capacitive deionization(FCDI)is an emerging desalination technology with great potential for removal and/or recycling ions from a range of waters.However,it still suffers from inefficient charge transfer and ion transport kinetics due to weak turbulence and low electric intensity in flow electrodes,both restricted by the current collectors.Herein,a new tip-array current collector(designated as T-CC)was developed to replace the conventional planar current collectors,which intensifies both the charge transfer and ion transport significantly.The effects of tip arrays on flow and electric fields were studied by both computational simulations and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy,which revealed the reduction of ion transport barrier,charge transport barrier and internal resistance.With the voltage increased from 1.0 to 1.5 and 2.0 V,the T-CC-based FCDI system(T-FCDI)exhibited average salt removal rates(ASRR)of 0.18,0.50,and 0.89μmol cm^(-2) min^(-1),respectively,which are 1.82,2.65,and 2.48 folds higher than that of the conventional serpentine current collectors,and 1.48,1.67,and 1.49 folds higher than that of the planar current collectors.Meanwhile,with the solid content in flow electrodes increased from 1 to 5 wt%,the ASRR for T-FCDI increased from 0.29 to 0.50μmol cm^(-2) min^(-1),which are 1.70 and 1.67 folds higher than that of the planar current collectors.Additionally,a salt removal efficiency of 99.89%was achieved with T-FCDI and the charge efficiency remained above 95%after 24 h of operation,thus showing its superior long-term stability.

The regulating strategy of hierarchical structure and acidity in zeolites and application of gas adsorption: A review

Gas adsorption remains an attractive area of research.The hierarchical structure can reduce diffusion limitations and facilitate molecular transport,while acid sites can be used as adsorption sites.These make zeolites widely used in the field of gas adsorption.How to obtain zeolite adsorbents with better adsorption properties by modulating the hierarchical structure and acid sites is a pressing issue nowadays.This review highlights the strategies to modulate the hierarchical structure as well as the acid sites;and then explains how these strategies are achieved.The mechanism of zeolite adsorption on gases is then described in terms of these two properties.Lastly,the adsorption properties of zeolites for certain gases under specific conditions are summarised.An outlook of zeolite hierarchical structures and acid site modulation strategies is given.

Intraseasonal variability of the Kuroshio observed via mooring at 18°N

Insufficient observations near the origin of the Kuroshio have led to incomplete understanding of the intraseasonal variability(ISV)of the Kuroshio.Direct measurements of the Kuroshio velocity were performed with an array of three profiler moorings(122.7°E,123°E,and 123.3°E)along 18°N from January 2018 to February 2020.The ISV of the Kuroshio at 18°N was investigated based on a combination of mooring observations and global high-resolution HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model reanalysis data.The estimated time-averaged transport in the upper 350 m across the observation transect was 6.5±2.6 Sv(1.0 Sv=10^(6)m^(3)/s).Two significant ISV peaks at 50-60 and~100 d were recognized in the power spectra of the meridional velocity and transport.Further analysis indicated that the ISV at 50-60 d was caused by westward-propagating eddies at average propagation speed of~13 cm/s and wavelength of~635 km.Another ISV peak at~100 d was mainly caused by northward-propagating eddies generated in the North Equatorial Current region.Further investigation indicated that the ISV of the Kuroshio at 18°N is dominated by meridional transport,rather than by the zonal migration of the Kuroshio main axis.Our findings provide a better understanding of the ISV of the Kuroshio east of Luzon Island.

Kinetic-Thermodynamic Promotion Engineering toward High-Density Hierarchical and Zn-Doping Activity-Enhancing ZnNiO@CF for High-Capacity Desalination

Despite the promising potential of transition metal oxides(TMOs)as capacitive deionization(CDI)electrodes,the actual capacity of TMOs electrodes for sodium storage is significantly lower than the theoretical capacity,posing a major obstacle.Herein,we prepared the kinetically favorable Zn_(x)Ni_(1−x)O electrode in situ growth on carbon felt(Zn_(x)Ni_(1−x)O@CF)through constraining the rate of OH^(−)generation in the hydrothermal method.Zn_(x)Ni_(1−x)O@CF exhibited a high-density hierarchical nanosheet structure with three-dimensional open pores,benefitting the ion transport/electron transfer.And tuning the moderate amount of redox-inert Zn-doping can enhance surface electroactive sites,actual activity of redox-active Ni species,and lower adsorption energy,promoting the adsorption kinetic and thermodynamic of the Zn_(0.2)Ni_(0.8)O@CF.Benefitting from the kinetic-thermodynamic facilitation mechanism,Zn_(0.2)Ni_(0.8)O@CF achieved ultrahigh desalination capacity(128.9 mgNaCl g^(-1)),ultra-low energy consumption(0.164 kW h kgNaCl^(-1)),high salt removal rate(1.21 mgNaCl g^(-1) min^(-1)),and good cyclability.The thermodynamic facilitation and Na^(+)intercalation mechanism of Zn_(0.2)Ni_(0.8)O@CF are identified by the density functional theory calculations and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring,respectively.This research provides new insights into controlling electrochemically favorable morphology and demonstrates that Zn-doping,which is redox-inert,is essential for enhancing the electrochemical performance of CDI electrodes.

Solution‑Processed Thin Film Transparent Photovoltaics:Present Challenges and Future Development

Electrical energy is essential for modern society to sustain economic growths.The soaring demand for the electrical energy,together with an awareness of the environmental impact of fossil fuels,has been driving a shift towards the utilization of solar energy.However,traditional solar energy solutions often require extensive spaces for a panel installation,limiting their practicality in a dense urban environment.To overcome the spatial constraint,researchers have developed transparent photovoltaics(TPV),enabling windows and facades in vehicles and buildings to generate electric energy.Current TPV advancements are focused on improving both transparency and power output to rival commercially available silicon solar panels.In this review,we first briefly introduce wavelength-and non-wavelengthselective strategies to achieve transparency.Figures of merit and theoretical limits of TPVs are discussed to comprehensively understand the status of current TPV technology.Then we highlight recent progress in different types of TPVs,with a particular focus on solution-processed thin-film photovoltaics(PVs),including colloidal quantum dot PVs,metal halide perovskite PVs and organic PVs.The applications of TPVs are also reviewed,with emphasis on agrivoltaics,smart windows and facades.Finally,current challenges and future opportunities in TPV research are pointed out.

A review of ToF-based LiDAR

In recent years,propelled by the rapid iterative advancements in digital imaging technology and the semiconductor industry,encompassing microelectronic design,manufacturing,packaging,and testing,time-of-flight(ToF)-based imaging systems for acquiring depth information have garnered considerable attention from both academia and industry.This technology has emerged as a focal point of research within the realm of 3D imaging.Owing to its relatively straightforward principles and exceptional performance,ToF technology finds extensive applications across various domains including human−computer interaction,autonomous driving,industrial inspection,medical and healthcare,augmented reality,smart homes,and 3D reconstruction,among others.Notably,the increasing maturity of ToF-based LiDAR systems is evident in current developments.This paper comprehensively reviews the fundamental principles of ToF technology and LiDAR systems,alongside recent research advancements.It elucidates the innovative aspects and technical challenges encountered in both transmitter(TX)and receiver(RX),providing detailed discussions on corresponding solutions.Furthermore,the paper explores prospective avenues for future research,offering valuable insights for subsequent investigations.

Spin Dynamics and Phonons in Chromites CoCr_(2)O_(4)and MnCr_(2)O_(4)

Spinel compounds are of great interest in both fundamental and application-oriented perspectives due to the geometric magnetic frustration inherent to their lattice and the resulting complex magnetic states.Here,we applied x-ray diffraction,magnetization,heat capacity and powder inelastic neutron scattering measurements,along with theoretical calculations,to study the exotic properties of chromite-spinel oxides CoCr_(2)O_(4) and MnCr_(2)O_(4).The temperature dependence of the phonon spectra provides an insight into the correlation between oxygen motion and the magnetic order,as well as the magnetoelectric effect in the ground state of MnCr_(2)O_(4).Moreover,spin-wave excitations in CoCr_(2)O_(4) and MnCr_(2)O_(4) are compared with Heisenberg model calculations.This approach enables the precise determination of exchange energies and offers a comprehensive understanding of the spin dynamics and relevant exchange interactions in complicated spiral spin ordering.

Enhancing Autonomy Capability in Regional Power Grids:A Strategic Planning Approach with Multiple Autonomous Evaluation Indexes

After the integration of large-scale DistributedGeneration(DG)into the distribution network,the randomness and volatility of its output result in a reduction of spatiotemporal alignment between power generation and demand in the distribution network,exacerbating the phenomenon of wind and solar power wastage.As a novel power system model,the fundamental concept of Regional Autonomous Power Grids(RAPGs)is to achieve localized management and energy autonomy,thereby facilitating the effective consumption of DGs.Therefore,this paper proposes a distributed resource planning strategy that enhances the autonomy capabilities of regional power grids by considering multiple evaluation indexes for autonomy.First,a regional Energy Storage(ES)configuration strategy is proposed.This strategy can select a suitable reference value for the upper limit of ES configuration based on the regional load andDGoutput to maximize the elimination of source load deviations in the region as the upper limit constraint of ES capacity.Then,a control strategy for regional ES is proposed,the charging and discharging reference line of ES is set,and multiple autonomy and economic indexes are used as objective functions to select different proportions of ES to control the distributed resources of the regional power grid and establish evaluation indexes of the internal regional generation and load power ratio,the proportion of power supply matching hours,new energy consumption rate and tie line power imbalance outside the region to evaluate changes in the regional autonomy capabilities.The final simulation results showthat in the real regional grid example,the planning method in the planning year in the region of the overall power supply matching hour ratio and new energy consumption rate increased by 3.9%and 4.8%on average,and the power imbalance of the tie line decreased by 7.8%on average.The proposed planning approach enables the maximization of regional autonomy while effectively smoothing the fluctuation of power exchange between the regional grid and the higher-level grid.This presents a rational and effective planning solution for the regional grid,facilitating the coordinated development between the region and the distribution network.

Xinfuli Granule improves post-myocardial infarction ventricular remodelingand myocardial fibrosis in rats by regulating TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway

Recent clinical and experimental studies have confirmed the effects of Xinfuli Granule (XG), a compound Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of heart failure (HF). This study aimed to investigate the effects and the mechanisms of XG on ventricular reconstruction in rats with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).MethodsSprague-Dawley rats were subjected to left anterior descending branch ligation. The rats that survived 24 h were randomly assigned to five groups: medium-dose of XG group (MI+XGM), high-dose of XG group (MI+XGH), carvedilol group (MI+C), medium-dose of XG + carvedilol group (MI+C+XGM). Fourteen rats underwent identical surgical procedures without artery ligation, serving as sham controls. At 28 days, left ventricular weight to body weight (LVW/BW) and heart weight to body weight (HW/BW) were calculated; left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular shortening fraction (LVFS), left ventricular internal diameter at systole (LVIDS) were measured by ultrasound; HE staining, Masson staining, and Sirius red staining were used to assess the myocardial pathological and physiological changes as well as myocardial fibrosis area and non-infarct zone I/III collagen ratio. Expression of Smad3 were detected and analyzed by Western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. P-Smad3, Smad2 and Smad7 in the TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway were also analyzed by Western blot.ResultsThe LVIDS (P < 0.01), HW/BW (P < 0.05), type I/III collagen ratio (P < 0.01) and myocardial collagen (P < 0.01) decreased significantly while the LVW/BW, LVFS (P < 0.05) increased significantly in MI+XGM group as compared with those in other groups. The expression of key signal molecules of the TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway, including Smad3, P-Smad3 and Smad2 protein were decreased, while the expression of Smad7 increased in both XG and carvedilol treatment groups as compared to those of the MI group (all P < 0.01). Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence further confirmed the down-regulated Smad3 expression.ConclusionXG can improve ventricular reconstruction and inhibit myocardial fibrosis in rats with AMI by regulating TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway.

Upregulation of hypoxia inducible factor 1α mRNA is associated with elevated vascular endothelial growth factor expression and excessive angiogenesis and predicts a poor prognosis in gastric carcinoma

AIM： To investigate the implication of the hypoxia inducible factor HIF-1α mRNA in gastric carcinoma and its relation to the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） protein, tumor angiogenesis invasion/metastasis and the patient＇s survival. METHODS： In situ hybridization was used to examine expression of HIF-1α mRNA, and immunohistochemical staining was used to examine expression of VEGF protein and CD34 in 118 specimens from patients with gastric carcinoma. RESULTS： The positive rates of HIF-1α mRNA and VEGF protein were 49.15% and 55.92%, respectively. Positive expressions of HIF-1α and VEGF in stage T3-T4 tumors and those with vessel invasion, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis were dramatically stronger than stage T1-T2 cases and those without vessel invasion, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis. The mean microvascular density （MVD） in stage T3-T4 tumors and those with vessel invasion, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis was significantly higher than stage T1-T2 tumors and those without vessel invasion, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis. The mean MVD in tumors with positive HIF-1α and VEGF expression was significantly higher than that in tumors with negative HIF-1α and VEGF expression. The expression of HIF- 1α was positively correlated with VEGF protein. There were positive correlations between MVD and expression of HIF-1α and VEGF. The mean survival time and the S-year survival rate in cases with positive expression HIF-1α and VEGF and MVD value ≥ 41.5/0.72 mm^2 were significantly lower than those with negative expression of HIF-1α and VEGF and MVD value 〈 41.5/0.72 mm^2. CONCLUSION： Overexpression of HIF-1α is found in gastric carcinoma. HIF-1α may induce the angiogenesis in gastric carcinoma by upregulating the transcription of VEGF gene, and take part in tumor invasion and metastasis. They can be used as prognostic markers of gastric cancer in clinical practice.

Trend analysis of stroke risk research based on three-dimensional metrics

This study comprehensively analyzes the status,characteristics,focal points,and evolving trends of global research on“stroke risk analysis”over the past four years(2020–2023),aiming to provide insights for directing future research endeavors.By utilizing the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale,63 high-quality research papers were selected and subjected to a systematic literature review.In terms of research methods,stroke risk analysis research has evolved from clinical trials(e.g.,establishing control groups,using authoritative scales)towards statistical and data analysis methods(e.g.,decision tree analysis).Regarding research factors,early studies primarily focused on pathological factors associated with hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke,such as hypertension,hyperlipidemia,and diabetes.Recent research from the past two years indicates a shift towards emerging factors,including temperature conditions,air quality,and Corona Virus Disease 2019(COVID-19).In terms of application domains,stroke research covers a broad range of fields but mainly focuses on exploring risk factors,interventions during diagnosis and treatment stages,and rehabilitation,with clinical diagnosis,treatment,and drug intervention studies being predominant.While the research landscape is becoming increasingly diversified and comprehensive,there remains a need for more comprehensive and in-depth studies on novel topics,as well as integrated applications of research methods,presenting ample opportunities for exploring dependent variables in future stroke.

Body mass index does not affect the survival of pancreatic cancer patients

AIM to evaluate the association of body mass index(b MI) with the overall survival of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC) patients.METHODS A retrospective analysis of PDAC patients diagnosed in the National Cancer Center of China between January 1999 and December 2014 was performed. these patients were categorized into four b MI groups(< 18.5, 18.5-22.9, 23-27.4 and ≥ 27.5 kg/m2). χ2 tests for comparison of the proportions of categorical variables, and Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables were employed. Survival analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meyer method. their HRs of mortality and 95%CIs were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model.RESULTS With a median age of 59.6 years(range: 22.5-84.6 years), in total 1783 PDAC patients were enrolled in this study. their mean usual b MI was 24.19 ± 3.53 for the whole cohort. More than half of the patients(59.3%) experienced weight loss during the disease onset and progression. Compared with healthy-weight individuals, newly diagnosed patients who were overweight or obese had more severe weight loss during their disease onset and progression(P < 0.001). Individuals who were overweight or obese were associated with positive smoking history(P < 0.001). A significant difference in comorbidity of diabetes(P = 0.044) and coronary artery disease(P < 0.001) was identified between high b MI and normal-weight patients. After a median follow-up of 8 mo, the survival analysis showed no association between b MI and the overall survival(P = 0.90, n = 1783). When we stratified the whole cohort by pancreatic cancer stage, no statistically significant association between b MI and overall survival was found for resectable(P = 0.99, n = 217), unresectable locally advanced(P = 0.90, n = 316) and metastatic patients(P = 0.88, n = 1250), respectively. the results did not change when we used the b MI at diagnosis.CONCLUSION Our results showed no significance of b MI for the overall survival of PDAC patients.

Advances in postoperative adjuvant therapy for primary liver cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a highly heterogeneous,invasive,and conventional chemotherapy-insensitive tumor with unique biological characteristics.The main methods for the radical treatment of HCC are surgical resection or liver transplantation.However,recurrence rates are as high as 50%and 70%at 3 and 5 years after liver resection,respectively,and even in Milan-eligible recipients,the recurrence rate is approximately 20%at 5 years after liver transplantation.Therefore,reducing the postoperative recurrence rate is key to improving the overall outcome of liver cancer.This review discusses the risk factors for recurrence in patients with HCC radical surgical resection and adjuvant treatment options that may reduce the risk of recurrence and improve overall survival,including local adjuvant therapy(e.g.,transcatheter arterial chemoembolization),adjuvant systemic therapy(e.g.,molecular targeted agents and immunotherapy),and other adjuvant therapies(e.g.,antiviral and herbal therapy).Finally,potential research directions that may change the paradigm of adjuvant therapy for HCC are analyzed.

Surface-based map plasticity of brain regions related to sensory motor and pain information processing after osteonecrosis of the femoral head

Pain is one of the manifestations of hip disorder and has been proven to lead to the remodeling of somatotopic map plasticity in the cortex.However,most studies are volume-based which may lead to inaccurate anatomical positioning of functional data.The methods that work on the cortical surface may be more sensitive than those using the full brain volume and thus be more suitable for map plasticity study.In this prospective cross-sectional study performed in Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,China,20 patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head(12 males and 8 females,aged 56.80±13.60 years)and 20 healthy controls(9 males and 11 females,aged 54.56±10.23 years)were included in this study.Data of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging were collected.The results revealed that compared with healthy controls,compared with the healthy controls,patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head(ONFH)showed significantly increased surface-based regional homogeneity(Re Ho)in areas distributed mainly in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex,frontal eye field,right frontal eye field,and the premotor cortex and decreased surface-based Re Ho in the right primary motor cortex and primary sensory cortex.Regions showing significant differences in surfacebased Re Ho values between the healthy controls and patients with ONFH were defined as the regions of interests.Seed-based functional connectivity was performed to investigate interregional functional synchronization.When the areas with decreased surface-based Re Ho in the frontal eye field and right premotor cortex were used as the regions of interest,compared with the healthy controls,the patients with ONFH displayed increased functional connectivity in the right middle frontal cortex and right inferior parietal cortex and decreased functional connectivity in the right precentral cortex and right middle occipital cortex.Compared with healthy controls,patients with ONFH showed significantly decreased cortical thickness in the para-insular area,posterior insular area,anterior superior temporal area,frontal eye field and supplementary motor cortex and reduced volume of subcortical gray matter nuclei in the right nucleus accumbens.These findings suggest that hip disorder patients showed cortical plasticity changes,mainly in sensorimotor-and pain-related regions.This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine(approval No.2018-041)on August 1,2018.

Effects of different doses of metformin on bone mineral density and bone metabolism in elderly male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND Diabetes is a chronic disease,which may cause various complications.Patients with diabetes are at high risk of bone and joint disorders,such as osteoporosis and bone fractures.In addition,it became widely accepted that diabetes has an important impact on bone metabolism.Metformin is a commonly used and effective first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes.Some glucose-lowering agents have been found to have an effect on bone metabolism.The present study explored if different doses of metformin have an effect on bone mineral density(BMD)and bone metabolism in type 2 diabetes.AIM To investigate the effects of different doses of metformin on BMD and bone metabolism in elderly male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.METHODS A total of 120 elderly male outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were admitted to our hospital were included in the study from July 2018 to June 2019.They were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group with 60 patients in each group.Patients in the experimental group were given high dose metformin four times a day 0.5 g each time for 12 wk.Patients in the control group were given low dose metformin orally twice a day 0.5 g each time for 12 wk.The changes in bone mineral density and bone metabolism before and after treatment and the efficacy rate of the treatment were compared between the two groups.RESULTS There was no significant difference in the efficacy rate between the two groups(P>0.05).Before the treatment,there was no significant difference in BMD and bone metabolism between the two groups(P>0.05).However,after the treatment,BMD and bone metabolism were improved in the two groups.Moreover,BMD and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group,and N-terminal/midregion andβ-isomerized Cterminal telopeptides were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group(all P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Both high and low dose metformin can effectively control the blood glucose levels in elderly male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.However,the benefits of high dose metformin in improving BMD and bone metabolism level was more obvious in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.