Mid- to long-term outcome of laparoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation for malignant hepatic tumors.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of fully laparoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (LURFA) in malignant hepatic tumors that are difficult to curatively treat with the percutaneous approach or laparoscopic liver resection (LLR).

Methods: Between 2011 and 2021, 62 patients with malignant hepatic tumors (37 hepatocellular carcinomas [HCCs] and 25 metastatic colorectal cancers [mCRCs]), who were not feasible to be curatively treated by percutaneous radiofrequency ablation or LLR, were enrolled and treated only by LURFA. Patients who underwent concurrent surgical resection were excluded.

Multidisciplinary Taiwan consensus for the use of conventional TACE in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.

Developed in early 1980s, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with Lipiodol was adopted globally after large-scale randomized control trials and meta-analyses proving its effectiveness were completed. Also known as "conventional TACE" (cTACE), TACE is currently the first-line treatment for patients with unresectable intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and delivers both ischemic and cytotoxic effects to targeted tumors. Although new technology and clinical studies have contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of when and how to apply this widely-adopted therapeutic modality, some of these new findings and techniques have yet to be incorporated into a guideline appropriate for Taiwan.

The quantum dot organic dye conundrum for ratiometric FRET-based biosensors: which one would you chose?

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a widely used and ideal transduction modality for fluorescent based biosensors as it offers high signal to noise with a visibly detectable signal. While intense efforts are ongoing to improve the limit of detection and dynamic range of biosensors based on biomolecule optimization, the selection of and relative location of the dye remains understudied. Herein, we describe a combined experimental and computational study to systematically compare the nature of the dye, , organic fluorophore (Cy5 or Texas Red) inorganic nanoparticle (QD), and the position of the FRET donor or acceptor on the biomolecular components.

The PGS1 basic helix-loop-helix protein regulates Fl3 to impact seed growth and grain yield in cereals.

Plant transcription factors (TFs), such as basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) and AT-rich zinc-binding proteins (PLATZ), play critical roles in regulating the expression of developmental genes in cereals. We identified the bHLH protein TaPGS1 (T. aestivum Positive Regulator of Grain Size 1) specifically expressed in the seeds at 5-20 days post-anthesis in wheat.