Chemotherapy-Based Combination Regimens for Advanced EGFR-Mutant NSCLC After EGFR-TKI Failure: A Network Meta-Analysis.

Background: Traditional chemotherapy provides restricted benefits for advanced EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after failure of EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), necessitating the combined treatment. However, it remains controversial which is the optimal regimen.

Methods: Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing various platinum-based chemotherapy (Chemo) regimens in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC who experienced disease progression on EGFR-TKIs were included.

A Novel Model for Cornea Power Shift in Eyes Wearing Orthokeratology Lenses With Different Back Optic Zone Diameters for Myopia Control.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify the corneal power changes after wearing orthokeratology lenses of different back optic zone diameters (BOZDs) and to propose a novel 4-parameter model capable of revealing the associations between each parameter and axial length growth (ALG).

Methods: A prospective self-controlled study was conducted between June 2022 and December 2023. One eye in each subject (N = 33) was randomly assigned to wear a lens with a BOZD of either 5 mm (5 oz) or 6 mm (6 oz).

Clinical outcome and prognosis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma with distant metastasis.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the risk and prognostic factors for radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory (RAIR) differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) with distant metastasis.

Methods: A total of 128 patients with distant metastasis-DTC who underwent iodine-131 radiotherapy were included in this cohort study. After exclusion, 75 DTC patients who were resistant to radioiodine therapy and 53 patients in whom the treatment was successful were finally included.

Effects of simulated microgravity on dental pulp stem cell stemness.

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), a subset of tooth-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), demonstrate significant promise in clinical stem cell therapy. However, prolonged in vitro expansion commonly results in compromised stemness, limiting therapeutic efficacy. Thus, maintaining the stemness of DPSCs during expansion and culture is a key challenge for regenerative medicine.

miR-18a-5p/PXR/SREBP2 Was Involved in MAFLD Associated With Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether Among Petrol Station Workers.

Background: Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), previously defined as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), has been shown to be closely related to many environmental pollutants. Lately, we found methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), a new environmental pollutant, could increase NAFLD risk in American adults, which still needs more population epidemiological studies to verify, and its pathogenic mechanism is not yet clear.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among petrol station workers, diagnosed their MAFLD according to internationally recognised diagnostic criteria, assessed the potential association of MTBE exposure with MAFLD risk, and explored the miR-18a-5p/PXR/SREBP2 pathway as possible pathogenic mechanisms in male Wistar rats and HepaRG cells treated with MTBE.

A Study of Reverse Characteristics of GaN-on-Si Quasi-Vertical PiN Diode with Beveled Sidewall and Fluorine Plasma Treatment.

In this work, we show a high-performance GaN-on-Si quasi-vertical PiN diode based on the combination of beveled sidewall and fluorine plasma treatment (BSFP) by an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) system. The leakage current and breakdown voltage of the diode are systematically studied. Due to the beveled sidewall treated by the fluorine plasma, the diodes achieve an excellent breakdown voltage (V) of 790 V and a low reverse leakage current.

Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells preferentially modulate macrophages to alleviate pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a type of interstitial lung disease characterized by chronic inflammation due to persistent lung damage. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), including those derived from the umbilical cord (UCMSCs) and placenta (PLMSCs), have been utilized in clinical trials for IPF treatment. However, the varying therapeutic effectiveness between these two MSC types remains unclear.

Genome Assembly and Winged fruit Gene Regulation of Chinese Wingnut: Insights from Genomic and Transcriptomic Analyses.

The genomic basis and biology of winged fruit are interesting issues in ecological and evolutionary biology. Chinese wingnut (Pterocarya stenoptera) is an important garden and economic tree species in China. The genomic resources of this hardwood tree could provide advanced genomic studies of Juglandaceae and their evolutionary relationships.

An oncoprotein CREPT functions as a co-factor in MYC-driven transformation and tumor growth.

Understanding the mechanisms behind MYC-driven oncogenic transformation could pave the way for identifying novel drug targets. This study explored the role of CREPT in MYC-induced malignancy by generating MYC-transformed mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) with conditional CREPT deletion. Our results demonstrated that the loss of CREPT significantly impaired MYC-induced colony formation and cell proliferation, indicating that CREPT is essential for the malignant transformation of MEFs.

CBL1/CIPK23 phosphorylates tonoplast sugar transporter TST2 to enhance sugar accumulation in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis).

Fruit taste quality is greatly influenced by the content of soluble sugars, which are predominantly stored in the vacuolar lumen. However, the accumulation and regulation mechanisms of sugars in most fruits remain unclear. Recently, we established the citrus fruit vacuole proteome and discovered the major transporters localized in the vacuole membrane.

Fullerene-Hybridized Fused-Ring Electron Acceptor with High Dielectric Constant and Isotropic Charge Transport for Organic Solar Cells.

A novel isotropic fullerene-hybridized fused-ring electron acceptor, designated C-Y, has been synthesized via a mild [4+2] Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction with fullerene C to enhance the performance of organic solar cells (OSCs). Comparative analysis shows that C-Y significantly outperforms the control acceptor Me-Y, with a notable increase in the relative dielectric constant from 2.79 to 3.

Advances in the enhancement of mechanical and hydrophobic properties of nanocellulose-based packaging materials: A review.

As environmental issues are hotly debated worldwide, finding suitable materials to replace petroleum-based materials as the next-generation packaging materials has become a research hotspot. Nanocellulose, as a biomass material widely available in nature, is favored for application in green packaging materials due to its environmentally friendly and bio-friendly characteristics. However, the unstable mechanical properties and strong hydrophilicity of nanocellulose limit its practical application in packaging materials.

An electrostatically spun cellulose-based self-powered mask with high efficiency air filtration and ammonia sensing.

On construction sites impacted by particulate matter and hazardous gases, portable integrated air filtration equipment with high efficiency, minimal pressure drops and ammonia (NH) alarms is critical. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) present a sustainable solution by generating self-powered electricity to fulfill these requirements. In this study, we synthesized zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) in situ on the surface of titanium carbide (TiCT) to create TiCT/ZIF-8, grafted it onto cellulose diacetate via tetraethyl orthosilicate, and ultimately developed a cellulose-based nanofibrous membrane through electrospinning, combining it with a negative triboelectric material to construct a self-powered TENG-based mask.

Specifying the choice of EGFR-TKI based on brain metastatic status for advanced NSCLC with EGFR p.L861Q mutation.

Background: In-depth insight into the genomic features of the uncommon EGFR p.L861Q mutant NSCLC is scarcely performed, and no consensus on the preferred treatment strategy has been established. Moreover, the therapeutic implications of EGFR-TKI stratified by clinical and molecular features remained largely unknown.

Structure and physicochemical properties of starches from six accessions of the genus Pueraria in China.

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) root contains abundant starch, but the physicochemical properties of kudzu starch are not well understood. In this study, we compared the compositions and physicochemical properties of starches isolated from six Pueraria accessions in China. Caige starch exhibited the highest purity (96.

Current status of research on polysaccharide-based functional gradient gel materials: A review.

Functional gradient materials with material property anisotropy are one of the hotspots of current new material research. The gradient change of material properties comes from the change of the content of one or more components in the material, which is closely related to the preparation process of the material. Meanwhile, polysaccharide materials, as an environmentally friendly and green material, have attracted extensive attention from researchers.

A sophisticated mechanism governs Pol ζ activity in response to replication stress.

DNA polymerase ζ (Pol ζ) plays an essential role in replicating damaged DNA templates but contributes to mutagenesis due to its low fidelity. Therefore, ensuring tight control of Pol ζ's activity is critical for continuous and accurate DNA replication, yet the specific mechanisms remain unclear. This study reveals a regulation mechanism of Pol ζ activity in human cells.

Trends in nonsugar sweetener use among United States adults by chronic diseases presence: 1999 to March 2020.

Background: Although long-term health effects of nonsugar sweeteners (NSSs) are uncertain, they are widely used as a common alternative to added sugar, especially among people with chronic diseases. It is essential to evaluate trends in NSS use to inform policy makers.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate trends in NSS use overall and by chronic diseases presence in United States adults.

A review of groundwater iodine mobilization, and application of isotopes in high iodine groundwater.

Excessive intake of iodine will do harm to human health. In recent years, high iodine groundwater has become a global concern after high arsenic and high fluorine groundwater. A deep understanding of the environmental factors affecting iodine accumulation in groundwater and the mechanism of migration and transformation is the scientific prerequisite for effective prevention and control of iodine pollution in groundwater.

A preliminary investigation into the impact of soft tissue augmentation-based periodontal phenotype modification therapy for patients exhibiting class III decompensation.

Background: Patients with skeletal angle Class III malocclusion usually have inadequate hard and soft tissue volume at the mandibular anterior teeth. The labial proclination at the teeth may lead to gingival recession. The purpose of this study was to explore whether periodontal phenotype modification therapy with soft tissue augmentation (PhMT-s) can prevent gingival recession in these patients.

Synergistic enhancement of plant growth and cadmium stress defense by Azospirillum brasilense and plant heme: Modulating the growth-defense relationship.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play important roles in plant growth and defense under heavy metal (HM) stress. The direct integration of microbial and plant signals is key to the regulation of plant growth and HM stress defense, but the underlying mechanisms are still limited. Herein, we reveal a novel mechanism by which PGPR regulates plant growth-regulating substances in plant tissues and coordinates plant growth and defense in pak choi under cadmium (Cd) stress.

Cai's herbal tea enhances mitochondrial autophagy of type 1 diabetic mellitus β cells through the AMPK/mTOR pathway and alleviates inflammatory response.

Background: This study investigates the therapeutic mechanisms of Cai's Herbal Tea in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) mice, focusing on its effects on mitochondrial change and autophagy via the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway.

Methods: The composition of Cai's Herbal Tea was analyzed by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS). C57BL/6 mice and Min6 pancreatic beta cells were divided into control, diabetic mellitus (DM)/high glucose (HG), and treatment groups (low, medium, and high doses of Cai's Tea, and Metformin).

Lysosomal dysfunction-derived autophagy impairment of gingival epithelial cells in diabetes-associated periodontitis with altered protein acetylation.

Diabetes-associated periodontitis (DP) presents severe inflammation and resistance to periodontal conventional treatment, presenting a significant challenge in clinical management. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanism driving the hyperinflammatory response in gingival epithelial cells (GECs) of DP patients. Our findings indicate that lysosomal dysfunction under high glucose conditions leads to the blockage of autophagy flux, exacerbating inflammatory response in GECs.