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"Li-Yan, Zhang"
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Diplomacy of quasi-alliances in the Middle East
Quasi-alliance refers to the ideation, mechanism and behavior of policy-makers to carry out security cooperation through informal political and security arrangements. As a \"gray zone\" between alliance and neutrality, quasi-alliance is a hidden national security statecraft. Based on declassified archives and secondary sources, this book probes the theory and practice of quasi-alliances in the Middle East. Four cases are chosen to test the hypotheses of quasi-alliance, one of which is the Anglo-French-Israeli quasi-alliance during the Suez Canal War of 1956.
Book
X-ray-activated long persistent phosphors featuring strong UVC afterglow emissions
Phosphors emitting visible and near-infrared persistent luminescence have been explored extensively owing to their unusual properties and commercial interest in their applications such as glow-in-the-dark paints, optical information storage, and in vivo bioimaging. However, no persistent phosphor that features emissions in the ultraviolet C range (200–280 nm) has been known to exist so far. Here, we demonstrate a strategy for creating a new generation of persistent phosphor that exhibits strong ultraviolet C emission with an initial power density over 10 milliwatts per square meter and an afterglow of more than 2 h. Experimental characterizations coupled with first-principles calculations have revealed that structural defects associated with oxygen introduction-induced anion vacancies in fluoride elpasolite can function as electron traps, which capture and store a large number of electrons triggered by X-ray irradiation. Notably, we show that the ultraviolet C afterglow intensity of the yielded phosphor is sufficiently strong for sterilization. Our discovery of this ultraviolet C afterglow opens up new avenues for research on persistent phosphors, and it offers new perspectives on their applications in terms of sterilization, disinfection, drug release, cancer treatment, anti-counterfeiting, and beyond.
Journal Article
Neutrophils and Immunity: From Bactericidal Action to Being Conquered
The neutrophil is the major phagocyte and the final effector cell of the innate immunity, with a primary role in the clearance of extracellular pathogens. Using the broad array of cytokines, extracellular traps, and effector molecules as the humoral arm, neutrophils play a crucial role in the host defense against pathogen infections. On the other hand, the pathogen has the capacity to overcome neutrophil-mediated host defense to establish infection causing human disease. Pathogens, such as S. aureus, have the potential to thwart neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis and thereby succeed in evading killing by neutrophils. Furthermore, S. aureus surviving within neutrophils promotes neutrophil cytolysis, resulting in the release of host-derived molecules that promote local inflammation. Here, we provide a detailed overview of the mechanisms by which neutrophils kill the extracellular pathogens and how pathogens evade neutrophils degradation. This review will provide insights that might be useful for the development of novel therapies against infections caused by antibiotic resistant pathogens.
Journal Article
Clinical imaging diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis with different therapeutic responses
We aimed to differentiate and evaluate the clinical imaging features of pulmonary cryptococcosis with different therapeutic responses. The clinical imaging data of 70 patients with PC (complete response PC 37 cases and incomplete response PC 33 cases) were collected and compared to determine the independent risk factors for different therapeutic responses, and their diagnostic performances were verified by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Compared with complete response PC, incomplete response PC was more common with immunosuppression (10.8% vs. 45.5%,
P
= 0.001), intermediate progress (8.1% vs. 39.4%,
P
= 0.002), bilateral distribution (21.6% vs. 78.8%,
P
< 0.001), consolidation-interstitial pattern (10.8% vs. 42.4%,
P
= 0.003), pleural effusion (0 vs. 27.3%,
P
= 0.002) and mediastinal lymphadenopathy (0 vs. 24.2%,
P
= 0.005). Multivariate logistic regression showed that immunosuppression, intermediate progress, and bilateral distribution were independent risk factors, with low to moderate areas under curves (AUC, 0.656–0.786). Their combined performance was good with an AUC of 0.888. The diverse clinical imaging features can reflect the therapeutic response of PC. Immunosuppression, intermediate progress, and bilateral distribution were independent risk factors. Their combination can significantly improve diagnostic effects.
Journal Article
CTHRC1 promotes liver metastasis by reshaping infiltrated macrophages through physical interactions with TGF-β receptors in colorectal cancer
Metastasis is a major cause of cancer-related deaths. Tumor-intrinsic properties can determine whether tumor metastasis occurs or not. Here, by comparing the gene expression patterns in primary colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with or without metastasis, we found that Collagen Triple Helix Repeat Containing 1 (CTHRC1) in primary CRC served as a metastasis-associated gene. Animal experiments verified that CTHRC1 secreted by CRC cells promoted hepatic metastasis, which was closely correlated with macrophage infiltration. Depletion of macrophages by liposomal clodronate largely abolished the promoting effect of CTHRC1 on CRC liver metastasis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that CTHRC1 modulated macrophage polarization to M2 phenotypes through TGF-β signaling. A mechanistic study revealed that CTHRC1 bound directly to TGF-β receptor II and TGF-β receptor III, stabilized the TGF-β receptor complex, and activated TGF-β signaling. The combination treatment of CTHRC1 monoclonal antibody and anti-PD-1 blocking antibody effectively suppressed CRC hepatic metastasis. Taken together, our data demonstrated that CTHRC1 is an intrinsic marker of CRC metastasis and further revealed that CTHRC1 promoted CRC liver metastasis by reshaping infiltrated macrophages through TGF-β signaling, suggesting that CTHRC1 could be a potential biomarker for the early prediction of and a therapeutic target of CRC hepatic metastasis.
Journal Article
Disaster literacy in disaster emergency response: a national qualitative study among nurses
Background
As the largest group of healthcare professionals, nurses play an indispensable and crucial role in disaster response. The enhancement of nurses’ disaster literacy is imperative for effective disaster emergency management. However, there is currently a lack of knowledge regarding nurses’ disaster literacy. This study represents the first attempt to explore the key components and characteristics of disaster literacy among nurses.
Methods
A qualitative descriptive design was employed, and the reporting followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines (refer to File S1). The purposive sampling method was utilized. Thirty-one rescue nurses from 31 medical institutions across 25 provinces and regions in China were recruited to participate in the study. The respondents were requested to share their experiences and insights regarding disaster rescue operations. Inductive content analysis was employed for data examination.
Results
The results indicated that rescue nurses universally recognized that there was a pressing need to enhance the level of disaster literacy among nurses. The disaster literacy of nurses encompasses nine dimensions: physical and mental quality, disaster rescue general knowledge, professional and technical competence, professional ethics, teamwork, emotional ability, information literacy, leadership, and knowledge transformation.
Conclusions
To ensure national sustainability, government departments, healthcare organizations, and hospital administrators can accurately evaluate the disaster literacy of individual clinical nurses, groups, and the workforce as a whole through nine dimensions, which also can provide evidence to support the development of precision strategies to strengthen the disaster literacy of nurses.
Journal Article
Clinical-imaging diversity of exudative pulmonary cryptococcosis with different immune states
We aimed to evaluate the clinical-imaging diversity of exudative pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) with different immune states. The clinical and imaging data of 76 patients with PC (immunocompetent exudative PC 36 cases and immunocompromised exudative PC 40 cases) were respectively reviewed to determine the diagnostic features. Immunocompromised exudative PC was more often with bilateral distribution (30.6% vs. 80.0%,
P
< 0.001), ground-glass reticular pattern (13.9% vs. 52.5%,
P
< 0.001), mediastinal lymphadenopathy (0 vs. 20.0%,
P
= 0.014) and pleural effusion (0 vs. 22.5%,
P
= 0.007). The inflammatory response (66.7% vs. 20.0%,
P
< 0.001) and perifissural consolidation (52.8% vs. 12.5%,
P
< 0.001) were more common in immunocompetent exudative PC. The exudative PC had diverse clinical and imaging findings under different immune states. Inflammatory response, perifissural consolidation, bilateral distribution, ground-glass reticular pattern, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and pleural effusion could suggest exudative PC with different immune states and provide reliable evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Journal Article
Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Mediate the Association Between Peer Attachment and Problematic Use of Smartphone
Problematic use of smartphone (PUS) is increasingly prevalent among adolescents and may be influenced by both peer relationships and emotion-regulation capacities. This study tested whether difficulties in emotion regulation mediate the association between peer attachment and PUS, and whether these pathways differ by gender, age, and school type.
A cross-sectional survey recruited 12,099 Chinese adolescents (mean age = 18.93 years, 58% female) through stratified cluster sampling. Participants completed validated measures of PUS, peer attachment, and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Structural equation modeling (SEM) examined mediation via a latent DERS factor, controlling for demographics. Multi-group SEM evaluated moderation across gender, age (> 18 vs. ≤ 18), and school (university vs. high school).
Peer attachment was negatively associated with emotion-regulation difficulties (β = -0.296, p < 0.001) and with PUS (β = -0.144, p < 0.001). Emotion-regulation difficulties positively predicted PUS (β = 0.372, p < 0.001). The indirect effect (β = -0.110, 95% CI [-0.116, -0.104]) confirmed partial mediation. Multi-group SEM indicated significant moderation (Δχ
= 76.01-93.70, all p < 0.001): the effect of emotion-regulation difficulties on PUS was stronger among females; the impact of weaker peer attachment on emotion regulation was stronger among younger adolescents; and school type moderated both the path and the direct effect on PUS. Nevertheless, the mediation pathway remained significant in all subgroups.
Emotion-regulation difficulties partially explain the link between peer attachment and PUS in adolescents. The strength of these pathways varies by gender, age, and school context, highlighting emotion regulation as a promising intervention target.
Journal Article
Coadaptation fostered by the SLIT2-ROBO1 axis facilitates liver metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
To explore the mechanism of coadaptation and the potential drivers of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) metastasis to the liver, we study key molecules involved in this process and their translational value. Premetastatic niche (PMN) and macrometastatic niche (MMN) formation in a mouse model is observed via CT combined with 3D organ reconstruction bioluminescence imaging, and then we screen slit guidance ligand 2 (SLIT2) and its receptor roundabout guidance receptor 1 (ROBO1) as important factors. After we confirm the expression and distribution of SLIT2 and ROBO1 in samples from PDAC patients and several mouse models, we discover that SLIT2-ROBO1-mediated coadaptation facilitated the implantation and outgrowth of PDAC disseminated tumour cells (DTCs) in the liver. We also demonstrate the dependence receptor (DR) characteristics of ROBO1 in a follow-up mechanistic study. A neutralizing antibody targeting ROBO1 significantly attenuate liver metastasis of PDAC by preventing the coadaptation effect. Thus, we demonstrate that coadaptation is supported by the DR characteristics in the PMN and MMN.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells can utilise the tumour microenvironment to metastasise to the liver. Here the authors show that hepatoctyes overexpress SLIT2 to enable premetastatic niche formation for ROBO1-positive PDAC cells to support the survival of these tumour cells in the liver.
Journal Article
Clinico-radiologic subtypes and therapeutic observation of acute Marchiafava-Bignami disease
We aimed to investigate the clinico-radiologic features of acute Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) and its evolutionary process after effective treatment through subgroup comparison. The clinical and MRI data of 23 patients with acute MBD were retrospectively analyzed and divided into type A (12 cases, with entire callosal involvement) and type B (11 cases, with focal callosal involvement). The clinical assessments and MRI findings (before and after treatment) were compared between the two subtypes. Compared with type B, type A had lower MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) scores at admission (16.50 ± 1.73 vs 18.27 ± 1.68, P = 0.021) and were more common with extracallosal involvement (66.67% vs 18.18%, P = 0.036) and longer illness duration (18.3 ± 2.1 days vs 15.6 ± 2.4 days, P = 0.012). During the treatment, the residual lesion in the splenium was more common in type A (58.33% vs 9.09%, P = 0.027). After treatment, the MoCa scores of both subtypes gradually increased (P < 0.001), and the callosal and extracallasal lesions disappeared completely. Clinico-radiologic typing of acute MBD is related to the severity of early symptoms, but not to the prognosis. Complete clinico-radiologic recovery is possible for both subtypes with combined treatment. The clinico-radiologic reversibility is helpful for accurate diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation.
Journal Article