Safety and efficacy of PD-1 inhibitor (sintilimab) combined with transarterial chemoembolization as the initial treatment in patients with intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma beyond up-to-seven criteria.

Background: Numerous studies have demonstrated limited survival benefits of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) alone in the treatment of intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beyond up-to-seven criteria. The advent of immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has opened new avenues for HCC treatment. However, TACE combined with ICIs has not been investigated for patients with intermediate-stage HCC beyond the up-to-seven criteria.

Exploring Dynamics and Intermolecular Interactions in Binary Mixtures of Reline and DMSO: An Investigation Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Infrared Spectroscopic Techniques.

Reline, which is composed of choline chloride and urea in a molar ratio of 1:2, is the first and most extensively studied deep eutectic solvent (DES). In certain applications, reline is blended with organic solvents, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in most cases, to gain improved properties. Therefore, it is crucial to have a profound understanding of the impact of DMSO on the dynamics and structures of the species in the binary mixtures.

Biomimetic wrinkled prebiotic microspheres with enhanced intestinal retention for hyperphosphatemia and vascular calcification.

It is urgent for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to develop a robust and facile therapy for effective control of serum phosphate and reasonable regulation of gut microbiota, which are aiming to prevent cardiovascular calcification and reduce cardiovascular complications. Here, bioinspired by intestinal microstructures, we developed biomimetic wrinkled prebiotic-containing microspheres with enhanced intestinal retention and absorption for reducing hyperphosphatemia and vascular calcification of CKD model rats. The resultant CSM@5 microspheres exhibited favorable phosphate binding capacity in vitro and could effectively reduce serum concentration of phosphorous in vivo.

Correlation of ACE gene polymorphisms and platelet parameters with morning peak blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between platelet parameters, morning peak blood pressure (MPBP) in hypertensive patients, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms.

Methods: This study included 245 primary hypertensive patients treated between February 2019 and February 2022, who were divided into two groups based on MPBP status: 144 patients with MPBP and 101 without MPBP. Baseline data and early morning fasting blood samples from the antecubital vein were collected.

Effects of dietary oregano essential oil supplementation on carcass traits, muscle fiber structure, oxidative stability, meat quality, and regulatory mechanisms in Holstein steers.

Background: Dietary supplementation for beef cattle, using natural plant extracts, such as oregano essential oil (OEO), has proven effective in enhancing growth performance, beef production quantity and quality, and ensuring food safety. However, the precise mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear. This study investigated the impact of OEO on carcass traits, muscle fiber structure, meat quality, oxidative status, flavor compounds, and gene regulatory mechanisms in the longissimus thoracis (LT) muscles of beef cattle.

Rare and common genetic variants underlying the risk of Hirschsprung's disease.

Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a congenital enteric neuropathic disorder characterized by high heritability (>80%) and polygenic inheritance (>20 genes). The previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified several common variants associated with HSCR and demonstrated increased predictive performance for HSCR risk in Europeans using a genetic risk score, there remains a notable gap in knowledge regarding Chinese populations. We conducted whole exome sequencing in a HSCR case cohort in Chinese.

Infinite Mixture Chaining: An Efficiency-Based Framework for the Dynamic Construction of Word Meaning.

The lexicon is an evolving symbolic system that expresses an unbounded set of emerging meanings with a limited vocabulary. As a result, words often extend to new meanings. Decades of research have suggested that word meaning extension is non-arbitrary, and recent work formalizes this process as cognitive models of semantic chaining whereby emerging meanings link to existing ones that are semantically close.

Promoter engineering with programmable upstream activating sequences in Aspergillus Niger cell factory.

Background: Aspergillus niger is an important industrial filamentous fungus used to produce organic acids and enzymes. A wide dynamic range of promoters, particularly strong promoters, are required for fine-tuning the regulation of gene expression to balance metabolic flux and achieve the high yields of desired products. However, the limited understanding of promoter architectures and activities restricts the efficient transcription regulation of targets in strain engineering in A.

Study of PEG-rhG-CSF for the prevention of neutropenia in concurrent chemoradiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: To study the efficacy and safety of Polyethylene glycolated recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (PEG-rhG-CSF) in the prevention of neutropenia during concurrent chemoradiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: This is a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled study conducted from June 1, 2021, to October 31, 2022 on patients diagnosed with locally advanced NPC. Participants were divided into an experimental group and a control group.

Clinical criteria for limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy.

Limbic predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy neuropathologic change (LATE-NC) is highly prevalent in late life and a common co-pathology with Alzheimer's disease neuropathologic change (ADNC). LATE-NC is a slowly progressive, amnestic clinical syndrome. Alternatively, when present with ADNC, LATE-NC is associated with a more rapid course.

Low-internal-phase and high-viscoelastic emulsion gel synergistically stabilized by buckwheat protein microgel and carboxylated cellulose nanofibers.

With the increasing demand for healthy diets, low-fat foods have gradually become a hot issue. This study successfully prepared low-internal-phase and high-viscoelastic emulsion gels using the synergistic effect between buckwheat protein microgel (BPM) and carboxylated cellulose nanofibers (CNF). The effects of the ratio of BPM to CNF on the microstructure, stability, rheological properties, and 3D printing characteristics of the emulsion gels were investigated.

Revealing sources for synergistic control of PM, O, and CO in China: Based on social costs of air pollution and climate impact.

China is concurrently facing the dual challenges of air pollution and climate change. Here, we established a coupled modeling framework that integrated a chemical transport model with a health impact assessment model and the human capital method, to quantify the contributions of 150 emission sources (five sectors in 30 provinces) to the CO emissions, and the mortality burdens attributed to O and PM. We found that, in 2019, the estimated premature deaths in China attributed to PM and O pollution were 1,499,073 and 143,420, respectively.

The influence of upward social comparison on social network sites on middle school students' depression: A two-wave multiple mediation model.

There is a lack of longitudinal data on the relationship between upward social comparison on social network sites (SNSs) and depression and its underlying mechanisms. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between upward social comparison on social network sites and depression and analyze the mediating effects of self-concept clarity and self-esteem in this relationship. We employed a two-wave longitudinal design among 1179 Chinese middle school students.

The regulatory module MdCPCL-MdILR3L mediates the synthesis of ascorbic acid and anthocyanin in apple.

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is one of the most economically valuable fruit crops globally and a key dietary source for various nutrients. However, the levels of ascorbic acid (AsA) and anthocyanin, essential micronutrients for human health, are extremely low in the pulp of commonly cultivated apple varieties.

Effect of Ropivacaine Combined with Nalbuphine in Erector Spinae Plane Block on Postoperative Analgesia in Lumbar Trauma Surgery: A Single-Center Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has been increasingly utilized for postoperative analgesia in thoracic, abdominal, and spinal surgeries. This study evaluated the postoperative analgesic outcomes of ESPB with nalbuphine as a ropivacaine adjuvant for lumbar trauma surgery.

Methods: This randomized double-blind clinical trial included 57 participants who underwent lumbar trauma surgery.

Validation of a Deep Learning-Based Method for Accelerating Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging in Clinical Settings.

Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) has been widely used in clinical contexts, in which the speed of acquisition is frequently a critical issue. In this study, we aim to test the feasibility of a deep learning (DL)-based reconstruction method for accelerating SWI acquisition in clinical settings. A total of 61 subjects were consecutively enrolled.

Differential Expression of miR-26b-5p, EGR1, and STAT1 in Peripheral Blood of Schizophrenia Patients.

Background: This study aimed to investigate miRNAs and upstream regulatory transcription factors involved in schizophrenia (SZ) pathogenesis.

Methods: Differential expression of miRNAs and genes in SZ patients was investigated utilizing the gene expression omnibus dataset, gene ontology annotations, and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction experiments were conducted to validate the predictive screening of regulatory genes in peripheral blood samples from 20 SZ patients and 20 healthy controls.

Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis reveals novel potential biomarkers associated with aging and mitochondria in osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a prevalent age-related bone metabolic disease. Aging and mitochondrial dysfunction are involved in the onset and progression of OP, but the specific mechanisms have not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to identify novel potential biomarkers associated with aging and mitochondria in OP.

Parasitic structure defect blights sustainability of cobalt-free single crystalline cathodes.

Recent efforts to reduce battery costs and enhance sustainability have focused on eliminating Cobalt (Co) from cathode materials. While Co-free designs have shown notable success in polycrystalline cathodes, their impact on single crystalline (SC) cathodes remains less understood due to the significantly extended lithium diffusion pathways and the higher-temperature synthesis involved. Here, we reveal that removing Co from SC cathodes is structurally and electrochemically unfavorable, exhibiting unusual voltage fade behavior.

Interfacial modulation with homogeneous gallium phosphide protective layer enables dendrite-free and superior stable sodium metal anode.

Sodium metal is heralded as a premier anode candidate poised to supplant lithium in next-generation rechargeable batteries due to its abundant availability, cost-effectiveness, and superior energy density. Due to the highly reactive nature of metallic sodium, an unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) forms spontaneously on the Na metal anode. This instability leads to non-uniform sodium deposition during cycling, promoting dendrite growth and the accumulation of "dead" sodium.

ATRX loss inhibits DDR to strengthen radio-sensitization in p53-deficent HCT116 cells.

Identifying novel targets for molecular radiosensitization is critical for improving the efficacy of colorectal cancer (CRC) radiotherapy. Alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation X-linked (ATRX), a member of the SWI/SNF-like chromatin remodeling protein family, functions in the maintenance of genomic integrity and the regulation of apoptosis and senescence. However, whether ATRX is directly involved in the radiosensitivity of CRC remains unclear.

Ribosome profiling reveals dynamic translational landscape following X-ray irradiation.

X-ray irradiation induces widespread changes in gene expression. Positioned at the bottom of the central dogma, translational regulation responds swiftly to environmental stimuli, fine-tuning protein levels. However, the global view of mRNA translation following X-ray exposure remains unclear.

Epidemiological Features of Sinonasal Adenocarcinoma and Prognostic Nomogram: A Study Based on the SEER Database.

Objective: Our study aimed to update demographic profiles of sinonasal adenocarcinoma (SNAC) between 2000 and 2020, identify independent prognostic risk factors, and devise a predictive nomogram for overall survival (OS).

Methods: Utilizing the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, cases of SNAC from 2000 to 2020 were analyzed for incidence trends. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models helped pinpoint factors impacting patient survival.

Targeting QPCTL: An Emerging Therapeutic Opportunity.

Glutaminyl cyclases, including glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase (QPCT) and glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase-like protein (QPCTL), primarily catalyze the cyclization of N-terminal glutamine or glutamate to pyroglutamate (pGlu). QPCTL, in particular, modifies the N-terminus of CD47, thereby regulating its interaction with signal-regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) and modulating phagocytosis of tumor cells by immune cells. Additionally, QPCTL cyclizes the N-termini of CCL2, CCL7, and CX3CL1, influencing the tumor microenvironment and inflammatory responses in cancer and other disorders.