CT-based radiomics nomogram to predict proliferative hepatocellular carcinoma and explore the tumor microenvironment.

Background: Proliferative hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) is a class of aggressive tumors with poor prognosis. We aimed to construct a computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics nomogram to predict proliferative HCC, stratify clinical outcomes and explore the tumor microenvironment.

Methods: Patients with pathologically diagnosed HCC following a hepatectomy were retrospectively collected from two medical centers.

Ignored microbial-induced taste and odor in drinking water reservoirs: Novel insight into actinobacterial community structure, assembly, and odor-producing potential.

The presence of actinobacteria in reservoirs can lead to taste and odor issues, posing potential risks to the safety of drinking water supply. However, the response of actinobacterial communities to environmental factors in drinking water reservoirs remains largely unexplored. To address this gap, this study investigated the community structure and metabolic characteristics of odor-producing actinobacteria in water reservoirs across northern and southern China.

Mixotrophic aerobic denitrification facilitated by denitrifying bacterial-fungal communities assisted with iron in micro-polluted water: Performance, metabolic activity, functional genes abundance, and community co-occurrence.

Low-dosage nitrate pollutants can contribute to eutrophication in surface water bodies, such as lakes and reservoirs. This study employed assembled denitrifying bacterial-fungal communities as bio-denitrifiers, in combination with zero-valent iron (ZVI), to treat micro-polluted water. Immobilized bacterial-fungal mixed communities (IBFMC) reactors demonstrated their ability to reduce nitrate and organic carbon by over 43.

Crosstalking with Dendritic Cells: A Path to Engineer Advanced T Cell Immunotherapy.

Crosstalk between dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells plays a crucial role in modulating immune responses in natural and pathological conditions. DC-T cell crosstalk is achieved through contact-dependent (i.e.

Algicidal activity synchronized with nitrogen removal by actinomycetes: Algicidal mechanism, stress response of algal cells, denitrification performance, and indigenous bacterial community co-occurrence.

The harmful algal blooms (HABs) can damage the ecological equilibrium of aquatic ecosystems and threaten human health. The bio-degradation of algal by algicidal bacteria is an environmentally friendly and economical approach to control HABs. This study applied an aerobic denitrification synchronization algicidal strain Streptomyces sp.

Aged-Signal-Eliciting Nanoparticles Stimulated Macrophage-Mediated Programmed Removal of Inflammatory Neutrophils.

Excessive infiltration of activated neutrophils is regarded as a predominant cause of tissue injury in neutrophilic inflammation. Although programmed cell death like apoptosis maintains the homeostasis of activated neutrophils, this process is disrupted by an abnormal inflammatory response. Unlike endogenous calreticulin exposed during apoptosis, exogenous calreticulin acts as an "aged" signal and initiates premature macrophage-mediated programmed cell removal (PrCR), which is independent of apoptosis.

Prediction model based on radiomics and clinical features for preoperative lymphovascular invasion in gastric cancer patients.

We explored whether a model based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography radiomics features and clinicopathological factors can evaluate preoperative lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in patients with gastric cancer (GC) with Lauren classification. Based on clinical and radiomic characteristics, we established three models: Clinical + Arterial phase_Radcore, Clinical + Venous phase_Radcore and a combined model. The relationship between Lauren classification and LVI was analyzed using a histogram.

Albumin-Hitchhiking NIR-II Probes for Accurate Detection of Micrometastases.

Tumor metastasis remains the primary cause of treatment failure in cancer patients, and the high-sensitivity preoperative and intraoperative detection of occult micrometastases continues to pose a notorious challenge. Therefore, we have designed an albumin-hitchhiking near-infrared window II (NIR-II) fluorescence probe, IR1080, for the precise detection of micrometastases and subsequent fluorescence image-guided surgery. IR1080 rapidly covalently conjugates with albumin in plasma, resulting in a stronger fluorescence brightness upon binding.

A new nomogram for assessing complete response (CR) in gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients after chemotherapy.

Purpose: Achieving complete response (CR) after first-line chemotherapy in gastric DLBCL patients often results in longer disease-free survival. We explored whether a model based on imaging features combined with clinicopathological factors could assess the CR to chemotherapy in patients with gastric DLBCL.

Methods: Univariate (P < 0.

Effects of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected extramural vascular invasion (mrEMVI) and tumor deposits (TDs) on distant metastasis and long-term survival after surgery for stage III rectal cancer: a retrospective study grouped based on the relationship between the bottom of the tumor and peritoneal reflection.

Background: To evaluate the effect of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected extramural vascular invasion (mrEMVI) and tumor deposits (TDs) on distant metastasis and long-term survival after surgery for stage III rectal cancer based on the relationship between the bottom of the tumor and peritoneal reflection.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 694 patients who underwent radical resection for rectal cancer at the Harbin Medical University Tumor Hospital from October 2016 to October 2021. According to the surgical records, a new group was established based on the relationship between the lower end of the tumor and peritoneal reflection.

A unique hyperdynamic dimer interface permits small molecule perturbation of the melanoma oncoprotein MITF for melanoma therapy.

Microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF) regulates melanocyte development and is the "lineage-specific survival" oncogene of melanoma. MITF is essential for melanoma initiation, progression, and relapse and has been considered an important therapeutic target; however, direct inhibition of MITF through small molecules is considered impossible, due to the absence of a ligand-binding pocket for drug design. Here, our structural analyses show that the structure of MITF is hyperdynamic because of its out-of-register leucine zipper with a 3-residue insertion.

Clinical Application of Allograft Bone of Alveolar Cleft Repair.

Objectives: To investigate the osteogenic effect of allograft bone (BIO-GENE) and autologous iliac crest bone graft in the alveolar cleft repair.

Materials And Methods: A total of 131 patients with congenital unilateral alveolar cleft who consulted in our hospital from January 2016 to May 2021 were selected and divided into 3 groups according to the different bone restoration materials used. Group A totaling 43 cases was the autologous bone group; group B totaling 41 cases was the BIO-GENE group; and group C totaling 47 cases was the BMP-2+BIO-GENE group.

Prediction scores of postoperative liver metastasis and long-term survival of pancreatic head cancer based on the distance between the mesenteric vessels and tumor, preoperative serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level, and lymph node metastasis rate.

Background: The shortest distance between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) or superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and the tumor margin was combined with preoperative serum carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 and lymph node ratio (LNR) to evaluate joint effects on long-term survival and liver metastasis in patients with pancreatic head cancer after radical surgery.

Methods: This retrospective study included 149 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer at Harbin Medical University Tumor Hospital from May 2011 to March 2021. The preoperative serum CA 19-9 level and LNR were combined with the SMA or SMV distance.

Fe-BPsalan Complex-Catalyzed Asymmetric [4 + 2] Cycloaddition of Cyclopentadiene with α,β-Unsaturated Heterocycles.

An efficient iron-catalyzed asymmetric [4 + 2] cycloaddition of cyclopentadiene with α,β-unsaturated acyl imidazoles or 2-cinnamoylisoindoline-1,3-dione derivatives was developed to afford the addition products in high yield and selectivity. Interestingly, the absolute structures of the addition products were controlled by the auxiliaries via different coordination modes with the same type of catalyst.

A Clinical Assessment of a Magnetic Resonance Computer-Aided Diagnosis System in the Detection of Pathological Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance and the added value to radiologists of different levels of a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system for the detection of pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with breast cancer. Besides, to investigate whether tumor molecular typing is associated with the efficiency of diagnosis of the CAD systems.

Methods: 470 patients were identified with breast cancers who underwent NAC and post MR imaging between January 2016 and March 2019.

Biochemical characterization and mutational analysis of a novel flap endonuclease 1 from Thermococcus barophilus Ch5.

Flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1) plays important roles in DNA replication, repair and recombination. Herein, we report biochemical characteristics and catalytic mechanism of a novel FEN1 from the hyperthermophilic euryarchaeon Thermococcus barophilus Ch5 (Tb-FEN1). As expected, the recombinant Tb-FEN1 can cleave 5'-flap DNA.

Computer-aided classification of MRI for pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer.

To determine suitable optimal classifiers and examine the general applicability of computer-aided classification to compare the differences between a computer-aided system and radiologists in predicting pathological complete response (pCR) from patients with breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We analyzed a total of 455 masses and used the U-Net network and ResNet to execute MRI segmentation and pCR classification. The diagnostic performance of radiologists, the computer-aided system and a combination of radiologists and computer-aided system were compared using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Immunomodulating nano-adaptors potentiate antibody-based cancer immunotherapy.

Modulating effector immune cells via monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and facilitating the co-engagement of T cells and tumor cells via chimeric antigen receptor- T cells or bispecific T cell-engaging antibodies are two typical cancer immunotherapy approaches. We speculated that immobilizing two types of mAbs against effector cells and tumor cells on a single nanoparticle could integrate the functions of these two approaches, as the engineered formulation (immunomodulating nano-adaptor, imNA) could potentially associate with both cells and bridge them together like an 'adaptor' while maintaining the immunomodulatory properties of the parental mAbs. However, existing mAbs-immobilization strategies mainly rely on a chemical reaction, a process that is rough and difficult to control.

Resveratrol ameliorates disorders of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy in rats continuously exposed to benzo(a)pyrene from embryonic development through adolescence.

Exposure to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is associated with poor neurodevelopment in children and memory impairment in adults. Previous research has demonstrated that mitochondrial damage plays an important role in BaP-induced neurotoxicity. Of interest, increasing evidence has suggested that resveratrol (RSV) can alleviate nerve cell damage, however the exact mechanisms of biological activity in mitochondria are not fully understood.

Sirtuin 3 is required for the protective effect of Resveratrol on Manganese-induced disruption of mitochondrial biogenesis in primary cultured neurons.

Chronic manganese (Mn) exposure can disturb mitochondrial homeostasis leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, which is involved in Mn-induced neurodegenerative diseases. Resveratrol (RSV), as a promoter of mitochondrial biogenesis, plays a significant role against mitochondrial dysfunction. However, whether RSV can relieve Mn-induced neuronal injury and mitochondrial dysfunction remains unknown.

Resveratrol prevents benzo(a)pyrene-induced disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis via the AMPK signaling pathway in primary cultured neurons.

Exposure to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) has been shown to cause mitochondrial dysfunction and injury to neural cells. Resveratrol (RSV) has been studied as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anticancer agent and can modulate mitochondrial function in vitro and in vivo. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying RSV's protection against mitochondrial dysfunction have not been fully elucidated.

Targeting of NLRP3 inflammasome with gene editing for the amelioration of inflammatory diseases.

The NLRP3 inflammasome is a well-studied target for the treatment of multiple inflammatory diseases, but how to promote the current therapeutics remains a large challenge. CRISPR/Cas9, as a gene editing tool, allows for direct ablation of NLRP3 at the genomic level. In this study, we screen an optimized cationic lipid-assisted nanoparticle (CLAN) to deliver Cas9 mRNA (mCas9) and guide RNA (gRNA) into macrophages.

Cationic Polymeric Nanoparticle Delivering CCR2 siRNA to Inflammatory Monocytes for Tumor Microenvironment Modification and Cancer Therapy.

Accumulating evidence has confirmed that malignant tumors have a complex microenvironment, which consists of a heterogeneous collection of tumor cells and other cell subsets (including the full gamut of immune cells). Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), derived from circulating Ly6C monocytes, constitute the most substantial fraction of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in nearly all cancer types and contribute to tumor progression, vascularization, metastasis, immunosuppression, and therapeutic resistance. Interrupting monocyte recruitment to tumor tissues by disturbing pivotal signaling pathways (such as CCL2-CCR2) is viewed as one of the most promising avenues for tumor microenvironment manipulation and cancer therapy.

Plasma-treated Ce/TiO-SiO catalyst for the NH-SCR of NO.

Ce/TiO-SiO catalysts with different Ti/Si molar ratios are prepared by the incipient impregnation method and their NH-SCR activities are evaluated at 100-500°C on a fixed reactor. The Ce/TiO-SiO (3/1) catalyst, modified by non-thermal plasma (NTP) treatment and then activated by thermal treatment at 500°C for 4 h, exhibits best performance. Comprehensive deNO performance of the catalyst is evidently improved and its efficiency reaches up to 99.