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In nature, some creatures can change their body shapes and surface colors simultaneously to respond to the external environments, which greatly inspired researchers in the development of color-tunable soft actuators. In this work, we present a facile method to prepare a smart hydrogel actuator that can bend bidirectionally and change color simultaneously, just like an octopus. The actuator is fabricated by elastomer/hydrogel bilayer and the hydrogel layer was decorated with thermoresponsive microgels as the photonic crystal blocks. Compared with the previously reported poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel-based bilayer hydrogel actuators, which are generally limited to one-directional deformation, the elastomer/hydrogel bilayer actuator prepared in our work exhibits unique bidirectional bending behavior in accordance with the change of structural color. The bending degrees can be changed from −360° to 270° in response to solution temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 60 °C. At the same time, the surface color changes from red to green, and then to blue, covering the full visible light spectrum. The bending direction and degree of the hydrogel actuator can easily be adjusted by tuning the layer thickness ratio of the elastomer/hydrogel or the composition of the hydrogel. The color-tunable hydrogel-elastomer actuator reported in this work can achieve both programmable deformations and color-changing highly resembling the natural actuating behaviors of creatures.

Background Type 2 familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD2), or Dunnigan syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder characterized by selective subcutaneous fat loss, metabolic complications, and insulin resistance due to LMNA gene mutations. This case report describes the clinical presentation and treatment of a Chinese family with FPLD2, highlighting liraglutide’s role in glycemic and lipid control. Case presentation The index patient is a 14-year-old girl, presenting with fat accumulation in the neck, loss of subcutaneous fat on the face, arms, legs, and trunk, and metabolic complications including diabetes mellitus with insulin resistance, hepatomegaly, and dyslipidemia. The diagnosis of FPLD2 was confirmed by the identification of a heterozygous mutation c.1456 A > G (p. Lys486Glu) in exon 8 of the LMNA gene. The patient was initially treated with a diabetic diet, metformin, and insulin therapy, but glycemic control was only achieved after introducing liraglutide, resulting in satisfactory control within two months. The variable manifestations of FPLD2 within the family (the proband, her father, and elder sister), all carrying the same LMNA mutation are presented, highlighting the complexity of this genetic disorder. The fast clinical response to liraglutide in our patient suggests a potential therapeutic role for Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in the management of metabolic complications in FPLD2. Conclusions This case report underscores the importance of recognizing the variable expressivity of FPLD2 and the potential role of liraglutide in managing glycemic and lipid in pediatric patients. It also highlights the need for further research to explore novel therapeutic strategies for the metabolic complications associated with FPLD2.

Primary malignant giant cell tumor of bone (PMGCTB), which is usually confirmed to contain a high-grade sarcomatous component at the time of initial diagnosis, accounts for 1.6% of giant cell tumors of bone (GCTB). PMGCTB usually occurs in the epiphysis of long bones, which is similar to GCTB, and only 1.4–9.4% of GCTB occurs in the spine. PMGCTB in the spine is extremely rare. Herein, we present the case of a 46-year-old man who came to the hospital seeking medical help for lumbosacral pain. Computed tomography (CT) was performed because the clinician suspected that the patient had a herniated disk, and the results showed that the fifth lumbar vertebrae to the second sacral vertebrae showed bone destruction, accompanied by soft tissue tumors near the vertebrae, some of which protruded into the spinal canal and sacral canal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed that the lesion demonstrates an isointense signal on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), a mixed hyperintense signal on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), and obvious enhancement on contrast-enhanced T1WI. Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT imaging showed increased 18 F-FDG uptake in the lesion. Subsequently, the patient underwent CT-guided biopsy and was diagnosed with PMGCTB by pathology. Because of the poor prognosis of PMGCTB, early diagnosis is essential for the rational treatment of PMGCTB. In the current study, we will review the relevant literature and discuss the clinical, imaging, pathological characteristics, and differential diagnosis of the relatively rare disease.

Objective Intestinal methanogen overgrowth (IMO) is increasingly recognized as a contributor to gastrointestinal symptoms in children. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and endoscopic features of pediatric patients with IMO. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on children with gastrointestinal symptoms hospitalized in the Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, from September 2021 to November 2022. Patients were stratified into IMO positive and IMO negative groups based on lactulose methane breath test (LBT) results, followed by a comparative analysis of clinical characteristics between the groups. Among them, 102 patients who underwent gastroscopy and/or colonoscopy were included for analysis of endoscopic and histopathological features. Clinical information was obtained from electronic medical records. Results Among 124 children with gastrointestinal symptoms, 79 (63.7%) were IMO positive. Compared to the IMO negative group ( n  = 45), the IMO positive group had a lower proportion of diarrhea, with a statistically significant difference ( P  < 0.05). Villous blunting in the terminal ileal mucosa was more prevalent in the IMO positive group ( P  < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in nutritional status between groups. Of 70 children ultimately diagnosed with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID), 48 (68.6%) were IMO positive. Among FGID patients, age distribution differed significantly between IMO positive and IMO negative groups ( P  < 0.05), with school-aged children predominating in the IMO positive group compared to preschool-aged and adolescent children. Conclusions IMO positivity is prevalent in children with gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly prominent among those with FGID. The IMO positive group exhibited a lower incidence of diarrhea and more frequently demonstrated terminal ileal villous blunting. In FGID patients, IMO positivity correlates with age, showing higher rates in school-aged children.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is an intermediate tumor composed of differentiated myofibroblastic spindle cells with inflammatory cell infiltration. It can occur in all parts of the body, with the lungs being the most common, while the tissues outside the lungs, including the sigmoid colon, are rare. Herein, we present a case of a 10-year-old girl with sigmoid IMT who presented to our hospital with abdominal pain. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a well-defined, slightly low-density mass in her lower abdomen that was not clearly demarcated from the sigmoid colon. The mass showed significant uneven enhancement on contrast-enhanced CT and increased fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 F-FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography (PET). Moreover, a systematic review of the published literature on sigmoid IMT was conducted and its clinical and radiographic features were summarized to increase the understanding of this rare disease.

Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is a rare soft tissue malignancy of uncertain differentiation that can arise in various anatomical locations; however, its occurrence in the mediastinum is exceptionally uncommon. Herein, we present a 57-year-old woman diagnosed with mediastinal ES. A soft tissue mass in the mediastinum was initially detected incidentally during a routine physical examination; however, the patient did not perceive it as concerning and therefore did not seek further evaluation or treatment. Approximately 5 months later, the patient presented to our hospital with complaints of cough and chest tightness for diagnostic assessment and management. A chest computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a soft tissue density mass in the posterior mediastinum, with visible intratumoral nodular calcifications and mild heterogeneous enhancement on contrast-enhanced CT, findings suggestive of a neurogenic tumor. Subsequently, the patient underwent surgical resection, and postoperative pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of ES. Unfortunately, during the subsequent imaging follow-up, it was found that the tumor had recurred within a short period of time. ES occurring in the mediastinum is rare, while our case suggests that it should be considered as one of the imaging differential diagnoses for mediastinal or near hilar tumors.

Background. The incidence of osteoporotic fractures is increasing. In this study, we explored the activities of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in bone tissues with iron accumulation. Methods. We established rat bipedal walking models (RBWM), and a portion of our RBWM rats were intraperitoneally injected with ferric ammonium citrate, normal saline, and deferoxamine. Bone mineral density was measured with a small animal in vivo imaging system. The protein levels of ferritin, TRAP-5B, RANKL, and OPG in serum were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to quantify the RNA and protein expression levels of certain regulators involved in Wnt/β-catenin signaling in bone tissues. Results. In the present study, we established a rat bipedal walking model containing 32 bipedal rats, which were randomly classified into four groups, termed as NS, FAC, FAC+NS, and FAC+DFO. Those three experimental groups with FAC injection had significantly lower bone mineral density (BMD) than the control group NS (P<0.05). The disruption of bone homeostasis and downregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling were also observed in the three groups with FAC injection. Moreover, after the injection of deferoxamine, those aberrations in samples with FAC injection seemed repaired as test results returning or getting close to normal ranges. Conclusion. The osteoporosis could be caused by iron overload, which reduced the bone mineral density by disrupting the homeostasis of bone formation and absorption and attenuating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in bone tissues. The deferoxamine had the potential to improve the bone health by reducing the accumulation of iron and increasing the bone mass, which might be a promising therapeutic solution for osteoporosis.

A 1550 nm all-fiber dual-polarization coherent Doppler lidar (DPCDL) was constructed to measure the depolarization ratio of atmospheric aerosols. In lidar systems, the polarization state of the laser source is typically required to be that of linearly parallel polarization. However, due to the influence of the fiber-optical transmission and the large-mode field output of the telescope, the laser polarization state changes. Hence, a polarizer was mounted to the emitting channel of the telescope to eliminate the depolarization effect. A fiber-optical polarization beam splitter divided the backscattered light into components with parallel and perpendicular polarization. The DPCDL used two coherent channels to receive each of these two polarization components. A calibration procedure was designed for the depolarization ratio to determine the differences in gain and non-responsiveness in the two polarization channels. The calibration factor was found to be 1.13. Additionally, the systematic error and the measured random error of the DPCDL were estimated to evaluate the performance of the system. The DPCDL’s systematic error was found to be about 0.0024, and the standard deviation was lower than 0.0048. The Allan deviations of a 1-min averaging window with a low SNR of 19 dB and a high SNR of 27 dB were 0.0104 and 0.0031, respectively. The random errors at different measured heights were mainly distributed below 0.015. To confirm the authenticity of the atmospheric depolarization ratio measured with the DPCDL, two field observations were conducted with the use of a co-located DPCDL and micro-pulse polarization lidar to perform a comparison. The results showed that the correlation coefficients of the aerosol depolarization ratios were 0.73 and 0.77, respectively. Moreover, the two continuous observations demonstrated the robustness and stability of the DPCDL. The depolarization ratios were detected in different weather conditions.

Background Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a genetic overgrowth disorder with variable clinical features and cancer predisposition. In this study, we aim to characterize the clinical features and molecular defects of BWS patients in China. Methods Thirty-one patients with clinical suspicion of BWS were retrospectively recruited to the study from Shanghai Children’s Hospital between January 2014 and December 2017. Clinical data, including demographics, clinical features, and molecular testing results were extracted and systematically analyzed. Results Twenty-one patients with a BWS score ≥ 4 (6, IQR 4, 7) were clinically diagnosed with BWS, and 10 children with a BWS score ≥ 2 and < 4 (2, IQR 2, 3) were clinically suspected BWS patients. The most common cardinal feature of clinically diagnosed patients was macroglossia (71.4%) followed by lateralized overgrowth (33.3%) and exomphalos (14.3%), and the major suggestive features were umbilical hernia and/or diastasis recti (65.0%) and ear creases or pits (61.9%). Among 10 clinically suspected BWS patients, macroglossia and lateralized overgrowth were observed in 3 (30%) and 2 (20%) patients, and umbilical hernia and/or diastasis recti occurred in 7 (70.0%) patients. Seven (33.3%) clinically diagnosed patients and 3 (30%) suspected patients were identified with loss of methylation at KCNQ1OT1:TSS differentially methylated region (DMR; IC2 LOM), 5 (23.8%) clinically diagnosed BWS patients were identified with gain of methylation at H19/IGF2:IG-DMR (IC1 GOM), and 1 (4.8%) clinically diagnosed BWS patients was identified with paternal uniparental isodisomy 11 (pUPD11). The phenotype-genotype correlation analysis showed no significant difference among patients with IC2 LOM, IC1 GOM, and pUPD11. Conclusions The current study presents the first cohort study of BWS patients in mainland China. The clinical and molecular features of the patients are similar to those of other reported BWS patients in the Chinese population.

A new polymer electrolyte based on holographic photopolymer is designed and fabricated. Ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC) are introduced as the photoinert substances. Upon laser‐interference‐pattern illumination, photopolymerization occurs within the constructive regions which subsequently results in a phase separation between the photogenerated polymer and unreacted EC–PC, affording holographic photopolymer electrolytes (HPEs) with a pitch of ≈740 nm. Interestingly, both diffraction efficiency and ionic conductivity increase with an augmentation of the EC–PC content. With 50 wt% of EC–PC, the diffraction efficiency and ionic conductivity are ≈60% and 2.13 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 30 °C, respectively, which are 60 times and 5 orders of magnitude larger than the electrolyte without EC–PC. Notably, the HPEs afford better anisotropy and more stable electrochemical properties when incorporating N,N‐dimethylacrylamide. The HPEs exhibit good toughness under bending, excellent optical transparency under ambient conditions, and astonishing capabilities of reconstructing colored images. The HPEs here open a door to design flexible and transparent electronics with good mechanical, electrical, and optical functions. Holographic photopolymer electrolyte: An innovative strategy for grating structure generation from photoinitiation and inhibition is successfully applied in the fabrication of polymer electrolytes for lithium‐ion batteries. The holographic photopolymer electrolyte here opens a door to the design of flexible and transparent electronics with good mechanical, electrical, and optical functions.