Targeting MELK in tumor cells and tumor microenvironment: from function and mechanism to therapeutic application.

Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK), a member of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) protein family, has been reported to be involved in the regulation of many cellular events. The aberrant expression of MELK is associated with tumorigenesis and malignant progression of various tumors. Moreover, MELK plays an essential role in the regulation of tumor microenvironment (TME), which affects the function of immune cells and the responsiveness to immunotherapy.

Upregulation of MELK promotes chemoresistance and induces macrophage M2 polarization via CSF-1/JAK2/STAT3 pathway in gastric cancer.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) stands out as one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting the digestive system, characterized by a substantial incidence rate and mortality. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) has been implicated in the advancement of various cancer types and the modulation of the tumor microenvironment. This study aims to delve into the involvement of MELK in chemoresistance and the tumor microenvironment of GC.

Nano protective membrane coated wheat to resist powdery mildew.

The plant pathogenic fungus f. sp. infects wheat and reduces its yield.

In vitro regeneration, photomorphogenesis and light signaling gene expression in Hydrangea quercifolia cv. 'Harmony' under different LED environments.

Plant growth regulators, sucrose concentration, and light quality significantly impact in vitro regeneration of 'Harmony'. Blue light promotes photomorphogenesis by enhancing light energy utilization, adjusting transcription of light signal genes, and altering hormone levels. Hydrangea quercifolia cv.

Solid-State Lithium Batteries with Ultrastable Cyclability: An Internal-External Modification Strategy.

A commonly used strategy to tackle the unstable interfacial problem between LiAlTi(PO) (LATP) and lithium (Li) is to introduce an interlayer. However, this strategy has a limited effect on stabilizing LATP during long-term cycling or under high current density, which is due in part to the negative impact of its internal defects (eg., gaps between grains (GBs)) that are usually neglected.

Silicon Nanowire Array Weaved by Carbon Chains for Stretchable Lithium-Ion Battery Anode.

To manufacture flexible batteries, it can be a challenge for silicon base anode materials to maintain structural integrity and electrical connectivity under bending and torsion conditions. In this work, 1D silicon nanowire array structures combined with flexible carbon chains consisting of short carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and long carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are proposed. The CNFs and CNTs serve as chain joints and separate chain units, respectively, weaving the well-ordered Si nanowire array into a robust and integrated configuration.

Perioperative chemotherapy versus adjuvant chemotherapy treatment for resectable locally advanced gastric cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is increasingly used in locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC), but the clinical safety and efficacy are still controversial. This study aims to compare perioperative chemotherapy (PEC) with adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) for resectable LAGC.

Methods: Patients who underwent D2 gastrectomy for resectable LAGC were retrospectively reviewed, and divided into NSA group (NAC plus surgery and AC) and SA group (surgery followed by AC).

Plant morphology, secondary metabolites and chlorophyll fluorescence of Artemisia argyi under different LED environments.

Different light spectra from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) trigger species-specific adaptive responses in plants. We exposed Artemisia argyi (A. argyi) to four LED spectra: white (the control group), monochromatic red light (R), monochromatic blue light (B), or a mixture of R and B light of photon flux density ratio is 3 (RB), with equivalent photoperiod (14 h) and light intensity (160 μmol s m).

Comparison of the predictive value of pathological response at primary tumor and lymph node status after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced gastric cancer.

Background: Preoperative chemotherapy has been increasingly used in locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC). However, the prognostic factors are still insufficient. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of pathological response of the primary tumor to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and the lymph node status after NACT.

Does postoperative chemotherapy improve overall survival of patients with ypT1-2N0 cancer?

Background: Perioperative chemotherapy combined with curative gastrectomy has been increasingly represented the standard therapeutic strategy for resectable gastric cancer (GC). However, it is still unclear whether postoperative chemotherapy has a survival benefit for ypT1-2N0 gastric cancer patients who have undergone preoperative chemotherapy followed curative gastrectomy.

Methods: The data of patients who undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by gastrectomy and had pathological classification of ypT1-2N0 between March 2016 and December 2020 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively reviewed.

Visceral Adipose Tissue Assessment Enhances the Prognostic Value of GLIM Criteria in Patients with Gastric Cancer Undergoing Radical Gastrectomy after Neoadjuvant Treatment.

Background: The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria has been recently published for diagnosing malnutrition in adults. However, the validity of the GLIM criteria has not been well-established in patients with gastric cancer (GC) treated with neoadjuvant treatment (NT) followed by radical gastrectomy. The present study aimed to explore the prognostic value of GLIM-defined malnutrition before NT and after NT in GC patients and to investigate whether additional visceral adipose tissue (VAT) assessment could improve the predictive power of the GLIM criteria for NT-related adverse events (AEs) and long-term survival.

Urolithin A suppresses tumor progression and induces autophagy in gastric cancer via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Urolithin A (UA) is a microbial metabolite of natural polyphenols ellagitannins and ellagic acid with well-established antitumor properties against various malignancies. However, the exact role of UA in gastric cancer (GC) progression remains largely unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects and potential mechanisms of UA in GC in vitro and in vivo.

Association between Plasma FGF21 Levels and Body Composition in Patients with Gastric Cancer.

Background: Accumulating evidence has suggested that Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) plays an important role in metabolic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between plasma FGF21 levels and body composition parameters in gastric cancer (GC) patients.

Methods: This study was cross-sectional based on a prospective cohort of GC patients in a single center.

Crosstalk between tumor-associated macrophages and tumor cells promotes chemoresistance via CXCL5/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in gastric cancer.

Background: 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy regimen has been widely used for the treatment of gastric cancer, but meanwhile the development of chemotherapeutic resistance remains a major clinical challenge. Tumor microenvironment (TME) frequently correlates with the development of chemoresistance in human cancer. As a major component of TME, the role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the chemoresistance of gastric cancer has not been fully elucidated.

Generation of an mESC model with a human hemophilia B nonsense mutation via CRISPR/Cas9 technology.

Background: Hemophilia B is a rare inherited genetic bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency or lack of coagulation factor IX, the gene for which (F9) is located on the X chromosome. Hemophilia B is currently incurable and the standard treatment is coagulation factor replacement therapy. Although gene therapy has the potential to cure hemophilia, significant barriers are still needed to be overcome, e.

Progress in neoadjuvant therapy for gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumor types in the world and the majority of patients have already reached the advanced stage at the time of initial diagnosis, owing to the subtle symptoms of gastric cancer in the early stage and the low rate of screening in the population. Surgical resection is one of the main treatments for advanced gastric cancer; however, the efficacy of surgery is limited by factors such as low radical resection rate and high distant metastasis rate. A large number of clinical trials have indicated that neoadjuvant therapy (NAT), which consists of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and NAT combined with targeted therapy, may improve the therapeutic effect and prognosis of patients to different degrees.

Hydrogen sulphide alleviates Head Blight in wheat seedlings.

Hydrogen sulphide (HS), a crucial gas signal molecule, has been reported to be involved in various processes related to development and adversity responses in plants. However, the effects and regulatory mechanism of HS in controlling head blight (FHB) in wheat have not been clarified. In this study, we first reported that HS released by low concentrations of sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS) could significantly alleviate the FHB symptoms caused by () in wheat.

Long non-coding RNA HNF1A-AS1 induces 5-FU resistance of gastric cancer through miR-30b-5p/EIF5A2 pathway.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide and chemoresistance is a major cause for its poor prognosis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are associated with cancer chemoresistance. The current study sought to explore the mechanism of lncRNA HNF1A antisense RNA 1 (HNF1A-AS1) in mediating 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance of GC.

Quantitative Detection of Components in Polymer-Bonded Explosives through Near-Infrared Spectroscopy with Partial Least Square Regression.

The components in polymer-bonded explosive X, including cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine, paraffin, and polytetrafluoroethylene, were determined using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Using partial least squares as the multivariate calibration method, quantitative calibration models for components in X were verified internally and externally. The possible combinations of eight general spectral pretreatment methods and different bands of the scanning spectral region (12,500-4000 cm) were established.

Non-enzymatic Transformation of Aflatoxin B by m29.

Aflatoxin B (AFB) is the most harmful mycotoxin produced by filamentous fungi and presents a serious threat to human and animal health. Therefore, it is essential to protect humans and animals from AFB-induced acute and chronic toxicity. In this study, strain m29 having a high efficiency of AFB transformation was isolated from soil.

Knockout of Dip2c in murine ES cell line IBMSe001-B-1 by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology.

DIP2 protein contains three members: DIP2A, DIP2B and DIP2C, and are broadly expressed in the nervous system from Drosophila to human during embryonic development. Dip2c gene-associated mutations have been reported in tumors and neuronal diseases. However, the role ofDip2cin the context of mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells has not been explored.