Synergistic catalysis of the N-hydroxyphthalimide on flower-like bimetallic metal-organic frameworks for boosting oxidative desulfurization

Synergic catalytic effect between active sites and supports greatly determines the catalytic activity for the aerobic oxidative desulfurization of fuel oils.In this work,Ni-doped Co-based bimetallic metal-organic framework(CoNi-MOF)is fabricated to disperse N-hydroxyphthalimide(NHPI),in which the whole catalyst provides plentiful synergic catalytic effect to improve the performance of oxidative desulfurization(ODS).As a bimetallic MOF,the second metal Ni doping results in the flower-like morphology and the modification of electronic properties,which ensure the exposure of NHPI and strengthen the synergistic effect of the overall catalyst.Compared with the monometallic Co-MOF and naked NHPI,the NHPI@CoNi-MOF triggers the efficient activation of molecular oxygen and improves the ODS performance without an initiator.The sulfur removal of dibenzothiophene-based model oil reaches 96.4%over the NHPI@CoNi-MOF catalyst in 8 h of reaction.Furthermore,the catalytic product of this aerobic ODS reaction is sulfone,which is adsorbed on the catalyst surface due to the difference in polarity.This work provides new insight and strategy for the design of a strong synergic catalytic effect between NHPI and bimetallic supports toward high-activity aerobic ODS materials.

Overlapping infections of Mycobacterium canariasense and Nocardia farcinica in an immunocompetent patient:A case report

BACKGROUND Infections by non-tuberculous mycobacteria(NTM)have become more common in recent years.Mycobacterium canariasense(M.canariasense)was first reported as an opportunistic pathogen in 2004,but there have been very few case reports since then.Nocardia is a genus of aerobic and Gram-positive bacilli,and these species are also opportunistic pathogens and in the Mycobacteriales order.Conventional methods for diagnosis of NTM are inefficient.Metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS)can rapidly detect many pathogenic microorganisms,even rare species.Most NTM and Nocardia infections occur in immunocompromised patients with atypical clinical symptoms.There are no previous reports of infection by M.canariasense and Nocardia farcinica(N.farcinica),especially in immunocompetent patients.This case report describes an immunocompetent 52-year-old woman who had overlapping infections of M.canariasense,N.farcinica,and Candida parapsilosis(C.parapsilosis)based on mNGS.CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old woman presented with a productive cough and chest pain for 2 wk,and recurrent episodes of moderate-grade fever for 1 wk.She received antibiotics for 1 wk at a local hospital,and experienced defervescence,but the productive cough and chest pain persisted.We collected samples of a lung lesion and alveolar lavage fluid for mNGS.The lung tissue was positive for M.canariasense,N.farcinica,and C.parapsilosis,and the alveolar lavage fluid was positive for M.canariasense.The diagnosis was pneumonia,and application of appropriate antibiotic therapy cured the patient.CONCLUSION Etiological diagnosis is critical for patients with infectious diseases.mNGS can identify rare and novel pathogens,and does not require a priori knowledge.

Associations between Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index,bone mineral density and body composition in type 2 diabetes patients

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),a fast-growing issue in public health,is one of the most common chronic metabolic disorders in older individuals.Osteoporosis and sarcopenia are highly prevalent in T2DM patients and may result in fractures and disabilities.In people with T2DM,the association between nutrition,sarcopenia,and osteoporosis has rarely been explored.AIM To evaluate the connections among nutrition,bone mineral density(BMD)and body composition in patients with T2DM.METHODS We enrolled 689 patients with T2DM for this cross-sectional study.All patients underwent dual energy X-ray absorptiometry(DXA)examination and were categorized according to baseline Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index(GNRI)values calculated from serum albumin levels and body weight.The GNRI was used to evaluate nutritional status,and DXA was used to investigate BMD and body composition.Multivariate forward linear regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with BMD and skeletal muscle mass index.RESULTS Of the total patients,394 were men and 295 were women.Compared with patients in tertile 1,those in tertile 3 who had a high GNRI tended to be younger and had lower HbA1c,higher BMD at all bone sites,and higher appendicular skeletal muscle index(ASMI).These important trends persisted even when the patients were divided into younger and older subgroups.The GNRI was positively related to ASMI(men:r=0.644,P<0.001;women:r=0.649,P<0.001),total body fat(men:r=0.453,P<0.001;women:r=0.557,P<0.001),BMD at all bone sites,lumbar spine(L1-L4)BMD(men:r=0.110,P=0.029;women:r=0.256,P<0.001),FN-BMD(men:r=0.293,P<0.001;women:r=0.273,P<0.001),and hip BMD(men:r=0.358,P<0.001;women:r=0.377,P<0.001).After adjustment for other clinical parameters,the GNRI was still significantly associated with BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck.Additionally,a low lean mass index and higherβ-collagen special sequence were associated with low BMD at all bone sites.Age was negatively correlated with ASMI,whereas weight was positively correlated with ASMI.CONCLUSION Poor nutrition,as indicated by a low GNRI,was associated with low levels of ASMI and BMD at all bone sites in T2DM patients.Using the GNRI to evaluate nutritional status and using DXA to investigate body composition in patients with T2DM is of value in assessing bone health and physical performance.

Efficacy of image-enhanced endoscopy for colorectal adenoma detection:A multicenter,randomized trial

BACKGROUND Improved adenoma detection at colonoscopy has decreased the risk of developing colorectal cancer.However,whether image-enhanced endoscopy(IEE)further improves the adenoma detection rate(ADR)is controversial.AIM To compare IEE with white-light imaging(WLI)endoscopy for the detection and identification of colorectal adenoma.METHODS This was a multicenter,randomized,controlled trial.Participants were enrolled between September 2019 to April 2021 from 4 hospital in China.Patients were randomly assigned to an IEE group with WLI on entry and IEE on withdrawal(n=2113)or a WLI group with WLI on both entry and withdrawal(n=2098).The primary outcome was the ADR.The secondary endpoints were the polyp detection rate(PDR),adenomas per colonoscopy,adenomas per positive colonoscopy,and factors related to adenoma detection.RESULTS A total of 4211 patients(966 adenomas)were included in the analysis(mean age,56.7 years,47.1%male).There were 2113 patients(508 adenomas)in the IEE group and 2098 patients(458 adenomas)in the WLI group.The ADR in two group were not significantly different[24.0%vs 21.8%,1.10,95%confidence interval(CI):0.99-1.23,P=0.09].The PDR was higher with IEE group(41.7%)than with WLI group(36.1%,1.16,95%CI:1.07-1.25,P=0.01).Differences in mean withdrawal time(7.90±3.42 min vs 7.85±3.47 min,P=0.30)and adenomas per colonoscopy(0.33±0.68 vs 0.28±0.62,P=0.06)were not significant.Subgroup analysis found that with narrowband imaging(NBI),between-group differences in the ADR,were not significant(23.7%vs 21.8%,1.09,95%CI:0.97-1.22,P=0.15),but were greater with linked color imaging(30.9%vs 21.8%,1.42,95%CI:1.04-1.93,P=0.04).the second-generation NBI(2G-NBI)had an advantage of ADR than both WLI and the first-generation NBI(27.0%vs 21.8%,P=0.01;27.0%vs 21.2.0%,P=0.01).CONCLUSION This prospective study confirmed that,among Chinese,IEE didn’t increase the ADR compared with WLI,but 2G-NBI increase the ADR.

Ligustrazine monomer against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Ligustrazine （2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine） is a major active ingredient of the Szechwan lovage rhizome and is extensively used in treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disease. The mecha- nism of action of ligustrazine use against ischemic cerebrovascular diseases remains unclear at present. This study summarizes its protective effect, the optimum time window of administra- tion, and the most effective mode of administration for clinical treatment of cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion injury. We examine the effects of ligustrazine on suppressing excitatory amino acid release, promoting migration, differentiation and proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells. We also looked at its effects on angiogenesis and how it inhibits thrombosis, the inflammatory response, and apoptosis after cerebral ischemia. We consider that ligustrazine gives noticeable protection from cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. The time window of ligustrazine admin- istration is limited. The protective effect and time window of a series of derivative monomers of ligustrazine such as 2-[（1,1-dimethylethyl）oxidoimino]methyl]-3,5,6-trimethylpyrazine, CXC137 and CXC 195 after cerebral ischemia were better than ligustrazine.

Application of blunt dissection in ESD of a gastric submucosal tumor

We performed endoscopic submucosal dissection of a gastric fundus tumor.It was difficult to strip the tumor completely due to space limitation,and we used blunt dissection to remove the tumor quickly and safely.Firstly,the basal area of the 2.5 cm submucosal tumor located in the gastric fundus was cut open,and the mucosa was dissected.The tumor was difficult to peel,therefore,a snare was used and the tumor was pulled and tightened slightly.Short electronic coagulation was used during the procedure.The tumor was then bluntly dissected.This method ensured rapid and complete removal of the tumor.

Effect of NS398 on metastasis-associated gene expression in a human colon cancer cell line

AIM: To investigate the effect of NS398 on the metastasis-associated gene expression in LoVo colorectal cancer cells. METHODS: LoVo cells were treated with NS398 at the concentration of 100 μmol/L for 24 and 48 h respectively. Total RNA was extracted with TRIzol reagents and reverse transcribed with Superscript II and hybridized with cDNA microarray (containing oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, signal transduction molecules, adhesive molecules, growth factors, and ESTs) fabricated in our laboratory. After normalization, the ratio of gene expression of NS398 treated to untreated LoVo cells was either 2-fold up or 0.5-fold down was defined as the differentially expressed genes. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to validate the microarray results. RESULTS: Among the 447 metastasis-associated genes, 9 genes were upregulated and 8 genes were downregulated in LoVo cells treated with NS398 for 24 h compared to untreated cells. While 31 genes were upregulated and 14 genes were downregulated in LoVo cells treated with NS398 for 48 h. IGFBP-5, PAI-2, JUN, REL, BRCA1, and BRCA2 might be the new targets of NS398 in treatment of colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION: NS398 might exert its anti-metastasis effect on colorectal cancer by affecting several metastasis-associated gene expression.

Identifi cation of the differential expressive tumor associated genes in rectal cancers by cDNA microarray

AIM: To identify tumor associated genes of rectal cancer and to probe the application possibility of gene expression profi les for the classifi cation of tumors. METHODS: Rectal cancer tissues and their paired normal mucosa were obtained from patients undergoing surgical resection of rectal cancer. Total RNA was extracted using Trizol reagents. First strand cDNA synthesis was indirectly labeled with aminoallyl-dUTP and coupled with Cy3 or Cy5 dye NHS mono-functional ester. After normalization to total spots, the genes which background subtracted intensity did not exceed 2 SD above the mean blank were excluded. The data were then sorted to obtain genes differentially expressed by ≥ 2 fold up or down in at least 5 of the 21 patients.RESULTS: In the 21 rectal cancer patients, 23 genes were up-regulated in at least 5 samples and 15 genes were down-regulated in at least 5 patients. Hierachical cluster analysis classified the patients into two groups according to the clinicopathological stage, with one group being all above stage II and one group all below stage II. CONCLUSION: The up-regulated genes and down-regulated genes may be molecular markers of rectalcancer. The expression profiles can be used for classifi cation of rectal cancer.

Overview of point-of-care ultrasound in diagnosing intestinal obstruction

Intestinal obstruction(IO),which refers to a partial or complete blockage of the intestine,is an emergency gastrointestinal disorder commonly seen in the intensive care unit(ICU)and emergency department and associated with high morbidity and mortality.[1,2]Common etiologies of IO include adhesions,hernias,intussusception,foreign bodies,ischemia,tumors,etc.Delay in the diagnosis and management of IO is associated with higher mortality due to complications such as bowel necrosis,perforation,sepsis,and septic shock.[3]IO can be divided into small bowel obstruction(SBO)and colonic obstruction(CO).In SBO,74%of cases are caused by adhesions,which may respond to conservative management.It is critical to identify which of those cases may progress and require emergent surgical intervention with the help of the diagnostic and assessment tools.In contrast to SBO,most cases of CO demand surgery.In this instance,appropriate assessment tools are required to define the location of the obstruction,which will assist in the proper surgical procedure.[4]

Investigating the causal link between gut microbiota and dry age-related macular degeneration:a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

AIM:To assess the causal link between 211 gut microbiota(GM)taxa and dry age-related macular degeneration(dAMD)risk.METHODS:Mendelian randomization using instrumental factors taken from a genome-wide association study(GWAS)were used.Inverse variance weighted(IVW)analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed on the FinnGen project,which included 5095 cases and 222590 controls.RESULTS:The IVW analysis showed substantial genusand family-level relationships between GM taxa and dAMD risk.Specifically,the family Peptococcaceae(P=0.03),genus Bilophila(P=3.91×10^(-3)),genus Faecalibacterium(P=6.55×10^(-3)),and genus Roseburia(P=0.04)were linked to a higher risk of developing dAMD,while the genus Candidatus Soleaferrea(P=7.75×10^(-4)),genus Desulfovibrio(P=0.04)and genus Eubacterium ventriosum group(P=0.04)exhibited a protective effect against dAMD.No significant causal relationships were observed at higher taxonomic levels.Additionally,in the reverse IVW analysis,no meaningful causal effects of the 7 GM taxa.CONCLUSION:These findings give support for the gutretina axis participation in dAMD and shed light on putative underlying processes.Investigations on the connection between GM and dAMD have not yet revealed the underlying mechanism.

Biochemical Insights into the Role of Guanosine Oxidation on RNA G-Quadruplex

While 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine(dOG)on DNA G-quadruplex(G4)has been studied,the influence of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-guanosine(rOG)lesions on telomeric repeat-containing RNA(TERRA)G4 deserves an in-depth study.The single-strand and guanine-rich characters of TERRA make it vulnerable to form rOG lesions.Our current study demonstrated that rOG located in the internal layer and external layer of TERRA impacted the G4 stability in different ways and perturbed RNA replication,as well as base-pair strength and stability.