Association between maternal rheumatoid arthritis and small for gestational age neonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundAccording to reports, maternal rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been suggested as a possible adverse factor for developing small for gestational age (SGA) in offspring. However, some studies have also indicated a need for a more statistically significant association between the two. Understanding the relationship between maternal RA and the risk of SGA is crucial for identifying potential adverse outcomes and implementing appropriate interventions. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the association between maternal RA and the risk of offspring developing SGA.MethodsThis study was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (ID: CRD42022357590). A systematic literature search was conducted to identify eligible studies up to August 2022. Quality assessment was performed according to the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The Q test and I2 test tested and estimated heterogeneity among studies. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CI were calculated using random or fixed effects models depending on the heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and publication bias assessments were also performed.ResultsSeven studies, including 12,323,918 participants, were included in the analysis. The results showed a statistically significant association between maternal RA and SGA (OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.29–2.23, p < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis showed stable results. The funnel plot of the symmetric distribution and the results of Begg’s and Egger’s tests showed no publication bias.ConclusionMaternal RA is associated with an increased risk of SGA in offspring. However, more studies are still needed to explore the potential mechanisms underlying maternal RA and SGA association.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier [CRD42022357590]

Perfluorocarbon nanodrug induced oxygen self-enriching sonodynamic therapy improves cancer immunotherapy after insufficient radiofrequency ablation

Residual lesions and undetectable metastasis after insufficient radiofrequency ablation (iRFA) are associated with earlier new metastases and poor survival in cancer patients, for induced aggressive tumor phenotype and immunosuppression. Programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1) blockade has been reported to enhance the radiofrequency ablation-elicited antitumor immunity, but its ability to eliminate incompletely ablated residual lesions has been questioned. Here, we report a combined treatment modality post iRFA based on integrating an oxygen self-enriching nanodrug PFH-Ce6 liposome@O2 nanodroplets (PCL@O2)-augmented noninvasive sonodynamic therapy (SDT) with PD-1 blockade. PCL@O2 containing Ce6 as the sonosensitizer and PFH as O2 reservoir, was synthesized as an augmented SDT nanoplatform and showed increased ROS generation to raise effective apoptosis of tumor cells, which also exposed more calreticulin to induce stronger immunogenic cell death (ICD). Combining with PD-1 blockade post iRFA, this optimized SDT induced a better anti-tumor response in MC38 tumor bearing mouse model, which not only arrested residual primary tumor progression, but also inhibited the growth of distant tumor, therefore prolonging the survival. Profiling of immune populations within the tumor draining lymph nodes and tumors further revealed that combination therapy effectively induced ICD, and promoted the maturation of dendritic cells, tumor infiltration of T cells, as well as activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. While iRFA alone could result in an increase of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the residual tumors, SDT plus PD-1 blockade post iRFA reduced the number of Tregs in both primary and distant tumors. Moreover, the combined treatment could significantly initiate long-term immune memory, manifesting as elevated levels of CD8+ and CD4+ central memory cells. Therefore, this study establishes the preclinical proof of concept to apply oxygen self-enriching SDT to augment cancer immunotherapy after iRFA

Research on the Relationship Between Corporate Governance Performance and Financing Cost Under the Background of ESG Theory

Since the reform and opening up, China’s economy has developed rapidly, the market economy is booming, and the financing demand of enterprises is also increasing year by year. As a new development concept, environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) theory has become an important evaluation index for the future development of enterprises. How to achieve sustainable development has become a necessary challenge for enterprise financing. Based on ESG theory, this paper discusses the influence of corporate governance performance on financing cost, and studies the relationship between corporate governance performance and financing cost. Through the empirical analysis, this paper can draw a conclusion that good corporate governance performance can effectively reduce the financing cost. According to this conclusion, this paper puts forward some suggestions on corporate governance based on ESG rating system

Removal of Fluoride from Aqueous Solution Using Shrimp Shell Residue as a Biosorbent after Astaxanthin Recovery

Natural astaxanthin has been widely used in the food, cosmetic, and medicine industries due to its exceptional biological activity. Shrimp shell is one of the primary natural biological sources of astaxanthin. However, after astaxanthin recovery, there is still a lot of chitin contained in the residues. In this study, the residue from shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) shells after astaxanthin extraction using ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium acetate ([Emim]Ac) was used as a bioadsorbent to remove fluoride from the aqueous solution. The results show the IL extraction conditions, including the solid/liquid ratio, temperature, time, and particle size, all played important roles in the removal of fluoride by the shrimp shell residue. The shrimp shells treated using [Emim]Ac at 100 °C for 2 h exhibited an obvious porous structure, and the porosity showed a positive linear correlation with defluorination (DF, %). Moreover, the adsorption process of fluoride was nonspontaneous and endothermic, which fits well with both the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models. The maximum adsorption capacity calculated according to the Langmuir model is 3.29 mg/g, which is better than most bioadsorbents. This study provides a low-cost and efficient method for the preparation of adsorbents from shrimp processing waste to remove fluoride from wastewater

Ecological risk assessment of aquatic organisms induced by heavy metals in the estuarine waters of the Pearl River

Abstract With the rapid economic development of China's coastal areas and the growth of industry and population, the problem of heavy metal contamination in estuarine waters is increasing in sensitivity and seriousness. In order to accurately and quantitatively describe the current status of heavy metal contamination and identify sensitive aquatic organisms with high ecological risks, five heavy metals in eight estuaries of the Pearl River were monitored at monthly intervals from January to December in 2020, and the ecological risks of aquatic organisms induced by heavy metals were evaluated using Risk quotients (RQ) and species sensitivity distributions (SSD) methods. The results showed that the concentrations of As, Cu, Pb, Hg and Zn in estuaries of the Pearl River were (0.65–9.25) μg/L, (0.07–11.57) μg/L, (0.05–9.09) μg/L, (< 0.40) μg/L and (0.67–86.12) μg/L, respectively. With the exception of Hg in Jiaomen water, the other heavy metals in each sampling site met or exceed the water quality standard of Grade II. The aquatic ecological risks of As, Pb and Hg were generally low in the waters of the Pearl River estuary, but individual aquatic organisms are subject to elevated ecological risks due to Cu and Zn. The content of Zn has a lethal effect on the crustaceans Temora Stylifera, and the content of Cu has a serious impact on the mollusks Corbicula Fluminea and has a certain impact on the crustaceans Corophium sp. and the fish Sparus aurata. Heavy metal levels and joint ecological risks (msPAF) in the Humen, Jiaomen, Hongqimen, and Hengmen estuaries were slightly higher than in other estuaries, and the Yamen estuary had the lowest contration of heavy metals and ecological risk. Research findings can serve as a basis for formulating water quality standards for heavy metals and for protecting aquatic biodiversity in the Pearl River Estuary

Pressure-Induced Phase Diagram and Electronic Structure Evolves during the Insulator–Metal Transition of Bulk BiFeO₃

BiFeO3 is the most widely known multiferroic at room temperature, possessing both ferroelectricity and antiferromagnetism. It has high Curie temperature and Néel temperature, i.e., 1103 and 643 K, respectively. Despite these unique properties, the pressure-induced phase diagram of bulk BiFeO3 has remained controversial. Based on the ab initio evolutionary algorithm, we systematically searched for the potential stable structures of bulk BiFeO3 at 0–50 GPa. It is identified that there are five pressure-induced phase transition sequences R3c–G–AFM →(5GPa) C2/m–G–AFM →(15GPa) Pnma–G–AFM →(24GPa) Pnma–FM →(35GPa) Imma–FM →(45GPa) Cmcm–FM, which provided a comprehensive pressure-induced phase diagram. As the pressure increases, we discovered an interesting phenomenon: a pressure-induced magnetic sequence transition, i.e., BiFeO3 transitions from an antiferromagnetic to a ferromagnetic sequence. Concurrently, the electronic structure evolves during the insulator–metal transition, influenced not only by the pressure but also by the phase transition. Our research has elucidated the long-standing question of the phase transition sequence of the BiFeO3 system under pressure and provided theoretical support for the insulator–metal transition

Targeting the Warburg effect: A revisited perspective from molecular mechanisms to traditional and innovative therapeutic strategies in cancer

Cancer reprogramming is an important facilitator of cancer development and survival, with tumor cells exhibiting a preference for aerobic glycolysis beyond oxidative phosphorylation, even under sufficient oxygen supply condition. This metabolic alteration, known as the Warburg effect, serves as a significant indicator of malignant tumor transformation. The Warburg effect primarily impacts cancer occurrence by influencing the aerobic glycolysis pathway in cancer cells. Key enzymes involved in this process include glucose transporters (GLUTs), HKs, PFKs, LDHs, and PKM2. Moreover, the expression of transcriptional regulatory factors and proteins, such as FOXM1, p53, NF-κB, HIF1α, and c-Myc, can also influence cancer progression. Furthermore, lncRNAs, miRNAs, and circular RNAs play a vital role in directly regulating the Warburg effect. Additionally, gene mutations, tumor microenvironment remodeling, and immune system interactions are closely associated with the Warburg effect. Notably, the development of drugs targeting the Warburg effect has exhibited promising potential in tumor treatment. This comprehensive review presents novel directions and approaches for the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients by conducting in-depth research and summarizing the bright prospects of targeting the Warburg effect in cancer

Layer-by-layer coated nanoliposomes for oral delivery of insulin

Crossing the intestinal epithelial cell barrier safely and reaching the blood with therapeutic levels of bioactive insulin have been the ultimate goal of oral insulin delivery. The optimum way to overcome the barrier lies in the design of an efficient high drug loading carrier, that can protect insulin from the harsh Gastrointestinal (GI) environment and enhance its uptake and transport by epithelial cells. In the present study, we developed a multi-layered insulin loading strategy on an anionic nanoliposome surface based on electrostatic interaction with chitosan. The layer-by-layer (LbL) coated nanoliposomes achieved high insulin loading (10.7% by weight) and offered superior protection with limited release in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) (about 6% in 1 h), simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) (2% in two weeks), and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (5% in two weeks). Intracellular imaging revealed that the LbL coated liposomes were internalized and intracellularly trafficked towards the basolateral side of the Caco-2 monolayer. Transported insulin demonstrated retention of bioactivity while crossing the epithelial barrier in the glucose uptake study in 3T3 L1-MBX adipocytes. In rat studies, oral administration of the formulation resulted in rapid absorption with a peak in plasma insulin levels 0.5 h post oral gavaging. This technology thus serves as a promising platform for potential oral insulin applications.Nanyang Technological UniversityThis work was supported by the NITHM interdisciplinary diabetes and metabolic diseases grant and HealthTech NTU ID & MDP Gap Funding. The authors would like to acknowledge interdisciplinary graduate school of Nanyang Technological University for scholarship support

A Cost-Effective Long-Wave Infrared Detector Material Based on Graphene@PtSe₂/HfSe₂ Bidirectional Heterostructure: A First-Principles Study

The Graphene@PtSe2 heterostructure is an excellent long-wave infrared detection material. However, the expensive cost of PtSe2 prevents its widespread use in infrared detection. In this paper, Hf was used to partially replace Pt to form Graphene@(PtSe2)n(HfSe2)4−n (n = 1, 2, and 3) bidirectional heterostructures consisting of graphene and lateral PtSe2/HfSe2 composites based on first-principles calculations. Then, the new bidirectional heterostructures were compared with heterostructures formed by graphene with pure MSe2 (M = Pt, Hf). It was found that the band gaps of the bidirectional heterostructures were between those of Graphene@PtSe2 and Graphene@HfSe2. Among these heterostructures, the Graphene@(PtSe2)3(HfSe2)1 bidirectional heterostructure has almost the same optical absorption properties in the infrared wavelength region of 1.33~40 µm as the Graphene@PtSe2 heterostructure, and it improves the absorption in the near-infrared wavelength region of 0.75~1.33 µm. Such a designment may bring the material costs down (since PtSe2 costs approximately five times more than HfSe2). This study on the designment of the bidirectional Graphene@(PtSe2)3(HfSe2)1 heterostructure also illustrates a cost-effective design method for Pt-based IR detectors