From small changes to big gains: pyridinium-based tetralactam macrocycle for enhanced sugar recognition in water.

The complex distribution of functional groups in carbohydrates, coupled with their strong solvation in water, makes them challenging targets for synthetic receptors. Despite extensive research into various molecular frameworks, most synthetic carbohydrate receptors have exhibited low affinities, and their interactions with sugars in aqueous environments remain poorly understood. In this work, we present a simple pyridinium-based hydrogen-bonding receptor derived from a subtle structural modification of a well-known tetralactam macrocycle.

Peking University First Hospital Procedure for Culturing Pathogenic Microorganisms for Bone and Joint Infection.

Background: This retrospective cohort study explores a practical approach to acquiring pathogenic microorganisms in patients with bone and joint infections.

Methods: From Aug 2018 to Mar 2022, 68 consecutive patients (87 cultures) with bone and joint infection were recruited in this study. All cultures followed the Peking University First Hospital Procedure of Culturing Pathogenic microorganisms for bone and joint infection.

Establishment and validation of an interactive artificial intelligence platform to predict postoperative ambulatory status for patients with metastatic spinal disease: a multicenter analysis.

Background: Identification of patients with high-risk of experiencing inability to walk after surgery is important for surgeons to make therapeutic strategies for patients with metastatic spinal disease. However, there is a lack of clinical tool to assess postoperative ambulatory status for those patients. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) brings a promising opportunity to develop accurate prediction models.

Helical sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides modulating Aβ oligomerization and cytotoxicity by recognizing Aβ helix.

In contrast to prevalent strategies which make use of β-sheet mimetics to block Aβ fibrillar growth, in this study, we designed a series of sulfonyl-γ-AApeptide helices that targeted the crucial α-helix domain of Aβ13-26 and stabilized Aβ conformation to avoid forming the neurotoxic Aβ oligomeric β-sheets. Biophysical assays such as amyloid kinetics and TEM demonstrated that the Aβ oligomerization and fibrillation could be greatly prevented and even reversed in the presence of sulfonyl-γ-AApeptides in a sequence-specific and dose-dependent manner. The studies based on circular dichroism, Two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (2D-NMR) spectra unambiguously suggested that the sulfonyl-γ-AApeptide Ab-6 could bind to the central region of Aβ and induce α-helix conformation in Aβ.

Mini-open compared with the trans-tubular approach in patients with spinal metastases underwent decompression surgery---a retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the perioperative safety and efficacy of the Mini-open and trans-tubular approach in patients with spinal metastases who underwent decompression surgery.

Methods: 37 consecutive patients with spinal metastases who underwent decompression surgery through a Mini-open or trans-tubular approach were retrospectively reviewed between June 2017 and June 2022. Thirty-four patients were included in this study.

Dynamic Approach to Synthetic Lectin for Glucose with Boosted Binding Affinity through C-H Hydrogen Bonds.

A biomimetic receptor for glucose has been developed with high affinity and selectivity. The receptor was efficiently synthesized in three steps through dynamic imine chemistry followed by imine-to-amide oxidation. The receptor features two parallel durene panels, forming a hydrophobic pocket for [CH⋅⋅⋅π] interactions, and two pyridinium residues directing four amide bonds towards the pocket.

Machine learning approaches for prediction of early death among lung cancer patients with bone metastases using routine clinical characteristics: An analysis of 19,887 patients.

Purpose: Bone is one of the most common sites for the spread of malignant tumors. Patients with bone metastases whose prognosis was shorter than 3 months (early death) were considered as surgical contraindications. However, the information currently available in the literature limits our capacity to assess the risk likelihood of 3 month mortality.

Side Group of Hydrophobic Amino Acids Controls Chiral Discrimination among Chiral Counterions and Metal-Organic Cages.

The self-assembly of chiral PdL metal-organic cages (MOCs) based on hydrophobic amino acids, including alanine (Ala), valine (Val), and leucine (Leu), into single-layered hollow spherical blackberry-type structures is triggered by nitrates through counterion-mediated attraction. In addition to nitrates, anionic -(-butoxycarbonyl) (Boc)-protected Ala, Val, and Leu were used as chiral counterions during the self-assembly of d-MOCs. Previously, we showed that l-Ala suppresses the self-assembly process of d-PdAla but has no effect on l-PdAla, i.

Risk factors of total blood loss in the posterior surgery for patients with thoracolumbar metastasis.

Background: Blood loss in posterior surgery patients with thoracolumbar metastasis posed a significant challenge to surgeons. This study aimed to explore the risk factors of blood loss in posterior surgery for patients with thoracolumbar metastasis.

Methods: One hundred forty-two patients were retrospectively reviewed.

A Nomogram to Predict Intra-Spinal Canal Cement Leakage Among Elderly Patients with Spine Metastases: An Internal-Validated Model.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the risk variables for predicting intra-spinal canal cement leakage, especially among elderly patients with spine metastases after being treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). Furthermore, we proposed and validated a nomogram to stratify risks of intra-spinal canal cement leakage.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 163 elderly patients (age ≧65 years) with spine metastases who underwent PVP.

Effect of the Timing of Surgery on Neurological Recovery for Patients with Incomplete Paraplegia Caused by Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of timing of surgery on neurological recovery for patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC).

Methods: According to the timing of surgery, 75 patients with incomplete paraplegia caused by MSCC were assigned to 3 groups: within 3 days (group A), between 4 days and 7 days (group B), and after 7 days (group C). -test, one-way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney -test, and Chi-square test were used to evaluate the difference in the improvement of American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) and ambulatory status, the incidence of perioperative complications, surgical site infection, and the length of hospital stay between 3 groups.

Prediction of early vascular cement leakage following percutaneous vertebroplasty in spine metastases: the Peking University First Hospital Score (PUFHS).

Background: Cement leakage into venous blood posed significant challenge to surgeons. The aim of the study was to create a Peking University First Hospital Score (PUFHS) which could evaluate the probability of vascular cement leakage among spine metastases patients following percutaneous vertebroplasty.

Methods: The study retrospectively enrolled 272 spine metastases patients treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty.

Risk factors for predicting cement leakage in percutaneous vertebroplasty for spinal metastases.

Background: The study aimed to identify the risk factors of cement leakage following percutaneous vertebroplasty for spinal metastases.

Methods: 230 consecutive patients with 530 vertebrae were retrospectively reviewed. Characteristics including age, primary cancer, location, pathological fracture, the integrity of the posterior wall, and the volume of bone cement were considered as potential risk factors.

A Comparative Study on the Effects of Postoperative I Brachytherapy and Irradiation After Surgical Decompression and Stabilization for Metastatic Spinal Cancers.

Purpose: The study aims to investigate and compare the efficacy and safety of intraoperative I implantation and postoperative irradiation after surgical decompression and stabilization in the treatment of patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC).

Methods: The study retrospectively enrolled 122 MESCC patients treated with surgical decompression and pedicle stabilization combined with I brachytherapy (the brachytherapy group) or postoperative radiotherapy (the irradiation group). Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, pain relief, postoperative ambulatory status, postoperative survival outcome, complications, and length of hospitalization were collected and compared between the two groups.

Ring-in-Ring(s) Complexes Exhibiting Tunable Multicolor Photoluminescence.

One ring threaded by two other rings to form a non-intertwined ternary ring-in-rings motif is a challenging task in noncovalent synthesis. Constructing multicolor photoluminescence systems with tunable properties is also a fundamental research goal, which can lead to applications in multidimensional biological imaging, visual displays, and encryption materials. Herein, we describe the design and synthesis of binary and ternary ring-in-ring(s) complexes, based on an extended tetracationic cyclophane and cucurbit[8]uril.

Triggering of Apoptosis in Osteosarcoma 143B Cell Line by Carbon Quantum Dots via the Mitochondrial Apoptotic Signal Pathway.

Objectives: Carbon-based nanomaterials have gained attention in the field of biomedicine in recent years, especially for the treatment of complicated diseases such as cancer. Here, we report a novel carbon-based nanomaterial, named carbon quantum dots (CQDs), which has potential for cancer therapy. We performed a systematic study on the effects of CQDs on the osteosarcoma 143B cell line in vitro and in vivo.

Spherical Supramolecular Structures Constructed via Chemically Symmetric Perylene Bisimides: Beyond Columnar Assembly.

Like other discotic molecules, self-assembled supramolecular structures of perylene bisimides (PBIs) are commonly limited to columnar or lamellar structures due to their distinct π-conjugated scaffolds and unique rectangular shape of perylene cores. The discovery of PBIs with supramolecular structures beyond layers and columns may expand the scope of PBI-based materials. A series of unconventional spherical packing phases in PBIs, including A15 phase, σ phase, dodecagonal quasicrystalline (DQC) phase, and body-centered cubic (BCC) phase, is reported.

Scoring Algorithms for Predicting Survival Prognosis in Patients With Metastatic Spinal Disease: The Current Status and Future Directions.

Various survival scoring systems have been developed to help surgeons select the best candidates for appropriate therapies in patients with metastatic spinal disease. This study aims to discuss the current status and future directions of scoring systems for the prediction of survival prognosis in these patients. The search terms "spine metastases," "metastatic spinal disease," and "metastatic spinal cord compression" were combined with "survival prognosis," "scoring system," and "score" to elicit relevant literatures in PubMed and Embase databases.

The endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by tunicamycin affects the viability and autophagy activity of chondrocytes.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is attributed to a reduction in chondrocytes within joint cartilage, and research has shown that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy play important roles in the survival of chondrocytes. However, the relationship between ER stress and autophagy in chondrocytes remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the changes in apoptotic and autophagic activity in chondrocytes under ER stress.