Regional variation in NAFLD prevalence and risk factors among people living with HIV in Europe: a meta-analysis

Background and Aim: Europe faces an elevated risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among people living with HIV (PLWH), contributing to the region’s highest global burden of NAFLD. However, the prevalence of NAFLD across various European countries and regions remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with NAFLD among PLWH across European countries. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across four databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Data on the prevalence of NAFLD, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and fibrosis, as well as the associated risk factors, were collected among PLWH in Europe. Results: Thirty-six studies from 13 European nations were included. The prevalence of NAFLD, NASH, and fibrosis were 42% (95%CI 37–48), 35% (95%CI 21–50) and 13% (95%CI 10–15), respectively. Male gender, BMI, waist circumference, Diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, ALT, AST, and years on antiretroviral therapy (ART) were found to be risk factors for NAFLD. High BMI and triglycerides were associated with NASH. Patients with high BMI and triglycerides are at increased risk of significant liver fibrosis. Conclusion: The high prevalence of NAFLD, NASH, and fibrosis among PLWH in Europe highlights the need for early screening, intervention, and increased research focus on adolescents living with HIV. Furthermore, the significant variations observed between countries and regions underscore the influence of related risk factors

Quantitative evaluation of gut microbiota composition in pancreatic cancer: a pooled study

Background: Prior research has demonstrated a positive association between the composition of gut microbiota and the incidence of pancreatic cancer. Nevertheless, a thorough quantitative and systematic evaluation of the distinct properties of gut microbiota in individuals diagnosed with pancreatic cancer has yet to be conducted. The objective of this study is to examine alterations in the diversity of intestinal microbiota in individuals diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Methods: Search for relevant literature published before July 2023 in 4 databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, without any language restrictions. Results: A total of 12 studies were included, including 535 patients with pancreatic cancer and 677 healthy controls. Analysis was conducted on 6 phyla, 16 genera, and 6 species. The study found significant and distinctive changes in the α-diversity of gut microbiota, as well as in the relative abundance of multiple gut bacterial groups at the phylum, genus, and species levels in pancreatic cancer patients. Conclusion: Overall, there are certain characteristic changes in the gut microbiota of pancreatic cancer patients. However, further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanism of action and the potential for treatment

A cyclic enzymatic amplification method for sensitive and selective detection of nucleic acids

Based on Exonuclease III (Exo III) and displacing probes, we have developed a Cyclic Enzymatic Amplification Method (CEAM) for sensitive and selective detection of nucleic acids. In this design, the displacing probe is non-fluorescent on its own and cannot be digested by Exo III until displacement hybridization by a target sequence, leading to release of free non-quenched fluorophore. Because a single target sequence can lead to the release and digestion of numerous fluorophore strands from the displacing probe, a remarkable signal amplification is achieved. With this method, DNA can be detected in the picomolar range with a high selectivity and within less than 20 min.NSFC [20805038]; MOE [200803841013]; National Basic Research Program of China [2007CB935603, 2010CB732402

Ultra-Conformal Skin Electrodes With Synergistically Enhanced Conductivity For Long-Time and Low-Motion Artifact Epidermal Electrophysiology

Accurate and imperceptible monitoring of electrophysiological signals is of primary importance for wearable healthcare. Stiff and bulky pregelled electrodes are now commonly used in clinical diagnosis, causing severe discomfort to users for long-time using as well as artifact signals in motion. Here, we report a ~100 nm ultra-thin dry epidermal electrode that is able to conformably adhere to skin and accurately measure electrophysiological signals. It showed low sheet resistance (~24 Ω/sq, 4142 S/cm), high transparency, and mechano-electrical stability. The enhanced optoelectronic performance was due to the synergistic effect between graphene and poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), which induced a high degree of molecular ordering on PEDOT and charge transfer on graphene by strong π-π interaction. Together with ultra-thin nature, this dry epidermal electrode is able to accurately monitor electrophysiological signals such as facial skin and brain activity with low-motion artifact, enabling human-machine interfacing and long-time mental/physical health monitoring

Agarose droplet microfluidics for highly parallel and efficient single molecule emulsion PCR

An agarose droplet method was developed for highly parallel and efficient single molecule emulsion PCR. The method capitalizes on the unique thermoresponsive sol-gel switching property of agarose for highly efficient DNA amplification and amplicon trapping. Uniform agarose solution droplets generated via a microfluidic chip serve as robust and inert nanolitre PCR reactors for single copy DNA molecule amplification. After PCR, agarose droplets are gelated to form agarose beads, trapping all amplicons in each reactor to maintain the monoclonality of each droplet. This method does not require cocapsulation of primer labeled microbeads, allows high throughput generation of uniform droplets and enables high PCR efficiency, making it a promising platform for many single copy genetic studies.National Scientific Foundation of China [20805038, 21075104, 20620130427]; National Basic Research Program of China [2007CB935603, 2010CB732402

Synthesis of Phosphine-Functionalized Silicon Cubane and Its Oxidative Addition, Giving a Bis(silyl)copper Complex

A new strategy for the introduction of a second type of Si atom to silicon cubanes has been developed starting from the tricyclic hexasilane dianion [Ar6Si6]2– (Ar = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2). Treatment of the dianion with Ar′SiCl3, followed by KC8, gave new types of octasilacubanes Ar6Ar′2Si8 [Ar′ = 2,4,6-iPr2C6H2 (3a), 2-Ph2PC6H4 (3b)] in high yields. Remarkably, treatment of cubane 3b bearing with two phosphine groups with 2 equiv of CuCl in CH2Cl2 yielded the bis(silyl)copper complex via the selective oxidative addition of the newly formed Si–Si bond to Cu ion. Single-crystal X-ray analysis indicated the unique square-planar, four-coordinate Cu cation paired with the [CuCl2]− counteranion

2‑Hydro-2-aminophosphasilene with N–Si–P π Conjugation

The first 2-aminophosphasilene, [Ar­(Me₃Si)­N]­HSiPAr′ (<b>4</b>, Ar = 2,6-<i>i</i>Pr₂C₆H₃, Ar′ = 2,6-Mes₂C₆H₃), bearing a hydride ligand on the three-coordinate silicon atom has been synthesized and structurally characterized. Both X-ray data of <b>4</b> and DFT calculations on the model compound (H₂N)­HSiPH (<b>4′</b>) disclosed that the amino group on the silicon atom results in significant N–Si–P π conjugation

Synthesis of Calcium and Ytterbium Complexes Supported by a Tridentate Imino-Amidinate Ligand and Their Application in the Intermolecular Hydrophosphination of Alkenes and Alkynes

Well-defined calcium and ytterbium complexes [{2-NC­(Ph)­NArC₆H₄CHNAr}­M­{N­(SiMe₃)₂}­(THF)] (M = Ca, Yb; Ar = 2,6-<i>i</i>Pr₂C₆H₃) have been synthesized and characterized. They catalyze the intermolecular hydrophosphination of alkenes, dienes, and alkynes with high activity and selectivity under mild conditions. Highly selective 1,4-additions (94–100%) for the conjugated dienes examined have been observed with both catalysts. The calcium complex exclusively catalyzes anti addition to alkynes, including terminal alkynes, while the ytterbium, in most cases, catalyzes syn addition. The calcium catalyst could promote hydrophosphination of hindered alkenes such as stilbene under relatively mild conditions