Preoperative Nutritional Status in Elderly Inpatients with Gastrointestinal Cancer and Its Linear Association with Frailty.

The identification and management of malnutrition is increasingly considered as an important issue in cancer treatment. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of malnutrition among elderly inpatients with gastrointestinal cancer. Meanwhile, the exact relationship between nutrition and frailty was explored.

Insights and Challenges for Applying Bipolar Membranes in Advanced Electrochemical Energy Systems.

Bipolar membranes (BPMs) are gaining interest in energy conversion technologies. These membranes are composed of cation- and anion-exchange layers, with an interfacial layer in between. This gives the freedom to operate in different conditions (pH, concentration, composition) at both sides.

Avermectin induces toxic effects in insect nontarget cells involves DNA damage and its associated programmed cell death.

Avermectin (AVM), is widely applied in the fields of agriculture, possess activities against mites and insects. AVM is generally thought to keep the GABA-related chloride channels open in insect cells. However, AVM induces cytotoxicity in non-neural cells still ambiguous.

Early Prediction of Refractory Epilepsy in Children Under Artificial Intelligence Neural Network.

In order to realize the early prediction of refractory epilepsy in children, data preprocessing technology was used to improve the data quality, and the detection model of refractory epilepsy in children based on convolutional neural network (CNN) was established. Then, the data in the epilepsy electroencephalography (EEG) signal public data set was used for model training and the diagnosis of refractory epilepsy in children. Moreover, back propagation neural network (BPNN), support vector machine (SVM), XGBoost, gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT), AdaBoost algorithm were introduced for comparison.

Exosomes containing miR-122-5p secreted by LPS-induced neutrophils regulate the apoptosis and permeability of brain microvascular endothelial cells by targeting OCLN.

Objective: To explore the effect of exosomes containing miR-122-5p secreted by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neutrophils on the apoptosis and permeability of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs).

Methods: Neutrophils in blood were isolated, purified and identified. LPS-induced neutrophils were co-cultured with BMECs.

MicroRNA miR-126 attenuates brain injury in septic rats via NF-κB signaling pathway.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact and mechanism of microRNA miR-126 on brain injury induced by blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage in septic rats. We used cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) to create a rat model of sepsis. The experimental rats were randomly divided into Control group, CLP group, CLP + miR-NC group, CLP + miR-126 group and CLP + miR-126 + NF-κB pathway agonist (PMA) group.

Novel Affibody Molecules Targeting the HPV16 E6 Oncoprotein Inhibited the Proliferation of Cervical Cancer Cells.

Despite prophylactic vaccination campaigns, high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced cervical cancer remains a significant health threat among women, especially in developing countries. The initial occurrence and consequent progression of this cancer type primarily rely on, E6 and E7, two key viral oncogenes expressed constitutively, inducing carcinogenesis. Thus, E6/E7 have been proposed as ideal targets for HPV-related cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Low Rate of Acquired Linezolid Resistance in Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Treated With Bedaquiline-Linezolid Combination.

In this retrospective study in China, we aimed to: (1) determine the prevalence of linezolid (LZD) resistance among multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)-infected patients; (2) monitor for dynamic LZD susceptibility changes during anti-TB treatment; and (3) explore molecular mechanisms conferring LZD resistance. A total of 277 MDR-TB patients receiving bedaquiline (BDQ)-containing regimens in 13 TB specialized hospitals across China were enrolled in the study. LZD and BDQ susceptibility rates were determined using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method, then DNA sequences of patient isolates were analyzed using Sanger sequencing to detect mutations conferring LZD resistance.

Flexible, fast, and benchmarked vectorial model for focused laser beams.

In-bulk processing of materials by laser radiation has largely evolved over the last decades and still opens up new scientific and industrial potentials. The development of any in-bulk processing application relies on the knowledge of laser propagation and especially the volumetric field distribution near the focus. Many commercial programs can simulate this, but, to adapt them, or to develop new methods, one usually must create a specific software.

Impact of Public Health and Social Measures on the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States and Other Countries: Descriptive Analysis.

Background: The United States of America has the highest global number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, which may be due in part to delays and inconsistencies in implementing public health and social measures (PHSMs).

Objective: In this descriptive analysis, we analyzed the epidemiological evidence for the impact of PHSMs on COVID-19 transmission in the United States and compared these data to those for 10 other countries of varying income levels, population sizes, and geographies.

Methods: We compared PHSM implementation timing and stringency against COVID-19 daily case counts in the United States and against those in Canada, China, Ethiopia, Japan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe from January 1 to November 25, 2020.

Domain Knowledge Powered Deep Learning for Breast Cancer Diagnosis Based on Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Videos.

In recent years, deep learning has been widely used in breast cancer diagnosis, and many high-performance models have emerged. However, most of the existing deep learning models are mainly based on static breast ultrasound (US) images. In actual diagnostic process, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a commonly used technique by radiologists.

Prognostic value of SH3PXD2B (Tks4) in human hepatocellular carcinoma: a combined multi-omics and experimental study.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and fatal cancers worldwide. HCC invasion and metastasis are crucial for its poor prognosis. SH3PXD2B is a scaffold protein and critical for intravascular and extravascular invasion and metastasis of various types of tumors.

A Strategy for Integrative Reconstruction of Midface Defects Using an Extended Forehead Flap.

Midface reconstruction is challenging because the structures and deformities involved are complicated. In this study, we present a strategy for integrally reconstructing nasal and midface defects, including hair-bearing defects, using extended forehead-expanded flaps. From 2015 to 2018, a total of 22 patients with midface defects underwent reconstruction with extended forehead-expanded flaps.

Generating and capitalizing on the demographic dividend potential in sub-Saharan Africa: a conceptual framework from a systematic literature review.

Africa will double its population by 2050 and more than half will be below age 25. The continent has a unique opportunity to boost its socioeconomic welfare. This systematic literature review aims to develop a conceptual framework that identifies policies and programs that have provided a favorable environment for generating and harnessing a demographic dividend.

Bone defect reconstruction via endochondral ossification: A developmental engineering strategy.

Traditional bone tissue engineering (BTE) strategies induce direct bone-like matrix formation by mimicking the embryological process of intramembranous ossification. However, the clinical translation of these clinical strategies for bone repair is hampered by limited vascularization and poor bone regeneration after implantation in vivo. An alternative strategy for overcoming these drawbacks is engineering cartilaginous constructs by recapitulating the embryonic processes of endochondral ossification (ECO); these constructs have shown a unique ability to survive under hypoxic conditions as well as induce neovascularization and ossification.

A randomized, controlled clinical trial of autologous stromal vascular fraction cells transplantation to promote mechanical stretch-induced skin regeneration.

Background: The regeneration response of the skin to mechanical stretching in vivo has been explored in reconstructive surgery to repair large-scale deformities. The ability of the skin to regenerate limits the reconstructive outcome. Here, we propose an approach in which autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells and mechanical stretching are combined to overcome this limitation and promote skin regeneration.

Exosome-delivered CD44v6/C1QBP complex drives pancreatic cancer liver metastasis by promoting fibrotic liver microenvironment.

Objective: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) shows a remarkable predilection for liver metastasis. Pro-oncogenic secretome delivery and trafficking via exosomes are crucial for pre-metastatic microenvironment formation and metastasis. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms of how PDAC-derived exosomes (Pex) modulate the liver microenvironment and promote metastasis.

miR-224 aggravates cancer-associated fibroblast-induced progression of non-small cell lung cancer by modulating a positive loop of the SIRT3/AMPK/mTOR/HIF-1α axis.

Objectives: Cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) is among the most important tumor-host microenvironment components by affecting tumor progression. This study explored the role of miR-224 in CAF-induced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Materials And Methods: A CAF-NSCLC cell co-culture model was established, and the miR-224 expression in CAF was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Monitoring peripheral neutrophil and T-lymphocyte subsets could assist in differentiating the severity and disease progression of coronavirus disease 2019.

Helper T cells (CD3+CD4+ T cells) and cytotoxic T cells (CD3+CD8+ T cells) play direct and indirect antiviral roles. This study retrospectively explored the clinical significance of peripheral lymphocytes, especially the dynamic analysis of T-cell subsets, in determining coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity and progression. Seventy-nine patients with COVID-19 in the Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu from January to February 2020 were included, 59 of which were analyzed for dynamic peripheral T-cell subsets expression.

Distribution Patterns (7B Rule) and Characteristics of Large Congenital Melanocytic Nevi: A Retrospective Cohort Study in China.

Large congenital melanocytic nevus has a high risk of malignancy. However, few studies have summarized its characteristics, treatments, outcomes and malignancy incidence in Chinese patients. This paper reviews a retrospective cohort study evaluating 1,171 patients from Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital between 1 January 1989 and 31 August 2019 using electronic medical records and phone calls to collect clinical and pathological data in which 133 patients were diagnosed with a large congenital melanocytic nevus.

Tranexamic Acid in Craniomaxillofacial Surgery: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

To compare the effectiveness of tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing blood loss and decreasing surgery duration in craniomaxillofacial surgery. The literature was searched systematically for all comparative studies of the effect of TXA on craniomaxillofacial surgery with placebo to evaluate the efficacy of TXA in craniomaxillofacial surgery. The primary outcome was intraoperative blood loss, and secondary outcomes were postoperative hematocrit, postoperative hemoglobin, and operation duration.

Mechanical stretch promotes hypertrophic scar formation through mechanically activated cation channel Piezo1.

Hypertrophic scar (HS) formation is a skin fibroproliferative disease that occurs following a cutaneous injury, leading to functional and cosmetic impairment. To date, few therapeutic treatments exhibit satisfactory outcomes. The mechanical force has been shown to be a key regulator of HS formation, but the underlying mechanism is not completely understood.

Selection of internal references for RT-qPCR assays in Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) related Schwann cell lines.

Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) has been widely applied in uncovering disease mechanisms and screening potential biomarkers. Internal reference gene selection determines the accuracy and reproducibility of data analyses. The aim of this study was to identify the optimal reference genes for the relative quantitative analysis of RT-qPCR in fourteen NF1 related cell lines, including non-tumor, benign and malignant Schwann cell lines.

Identifying global favourable habitat for early juvenile loggerhead sea turtles.

Loggerhead sea turtles () nest globally on sandy beaches, with hatchlings dispersing into the open ocean. Where these juveniles go and what habitat they rely on remains a critical research question for informing conservation priorities. Here a high-resolution Earth system model is used to determine the biophysical geography of favourable ocean habitat for loggerhead sea turtles globally during their first year of life on the basis of ocean current transport, thermal constraints and food availability (defined here as the summed lower trophic level carbon biomass).