LincR-PPP2R5C regulates the PP2A signaling pathway in the macrophage-myofibroblast transition in a mouse model of epidural fibrosis.

Low back pain after spine surgery is a major complication due to excessive epidural fibrosis, which compresses the lumbar nerve. Macrophage-myofibroblast transition (MMT) promoted epidural fibrosis in a mouse laminectomy model. Previously, we demonstrated that LincR-PPP2R5C regulated CD4 + T-cell differentiation.

Hydrogen-releasing magnesium hydrogel mitigates post laminectomy epidural fibrosis through inhibition of neutrophil extracellular traps.

Epidural fibrosis is a primary contributor to the failure of laminectomy surgeries, leading to the development of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). Post-laminectomy, neutrophils infiltrate the surgical site, generating neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) that contribute to epidural fibrosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a pivotal role in mediating NETs formation.

Single-arm study of camrelizumab plus apatinib for patients with advanced mucosal melanoma.

Background: Previous studies have suggested the potential synergistic antitumor activity when combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with anti-angiogenic agents in various solid tumors. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of camrelizumab (a humanized programmed cell death-1 antibody) plus apatinib (a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor) for patients with advanced mucosal melanoma (MM), and explore-related biomarkers.

Methods: We conducted a single-center, open-label, single-arm, phase II study.

Migration mechanism of atrazine in the simulated lake icing process at different freezing temperatures based on density function theory.

Atrazine causes concern due to its resistant to biodegradation and could be accumulated in aquatic organisms, causing pollution in lakes. This study measured the concentration of atrazine in ice and the water under ice through a simulated icing experiment and calculated the distribution coefficient K to characterize its migration ability in the freezing process. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to expatiate the migration law of atrazine during icing process.

Interlayer bond polarizability model for interlayer phonons in van der Waals heterostructures.

Raman scattering provides essential insights into phonons, electronic structures and electron-phonon coupling within solids through the intensity of Raman peaks, which cannot be easily quantified using the classical bond polarizability model. The interlayer bond polarizability model (IBPM) had been developed to understand the Raman intensity of layer-breathing modes (LBMs) in two-dimensional materials. However, the quantitative understanding of the LBM intensity of a van der Waals heterostructure (vdWH) remains challenging.

Boron removal in seawater desalination by progressive freezing-melting.

Desalination plays a crucial role in addressing water scarcity and promoting sustainable development. However, the presence of high boron content in seawater poses a significant challenge. This study introduces a progressive freezing-melting method that effectively removes boron while desalinating seawater.

Control of Raman Scattering Quantum Interference Pathways in Graphene.

Graphene is an ideal platform to study the coherence of quantum interference pathways by tuning doping or laser excitation energy. The latter produces a Raman excitation profile that provides direct insight into the lifetimes of intermediate electronic excitations and, therefore, on quantum interference, which has so far remained elusive. Here, we control the Raman scattering pathways by tuning the laser excitation energy in graphene doped up to 1.

[Effects of staged acupuncture on endometrial receptivity and anxiety in patients with recurrent implantation failure of thin endometrium based on "thoroughfare vessel is the sea of blood" theory].

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy between staged acupuncture based on "thoroughfare vessel is the sea of blood" theory combined with routine hormone replacement cycle treatment and routine hormone replacement cycle treatment for patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) of thin endometrium.

Methods: A total of 72 RIF patients with thin endometrium were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 36 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with routine hormone replacement cycle treatment.

Mindfulness-Based Interventions for the Occurrence of Postpartum Depression in Elderly Primiparas.

This study aimed to investigate the independent risk factors for the occurrence of postpartum depression (PPD) in elderly primiparas and the effect of mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on improving the PPD. Two hundred cases of elderly primiparas who underwent delivery in our hospital from January 2016 to December 2019 were enrolled as study participants and divided into an occurrence group ( = 60) and a nonoccurrence group ( = 140) according to whether they developed PPD. The occurrence group was divided into a study group ( = 30) receiving MBI and a control group ( = 30) without any intervention.

Health Promotion Combined with Psychological Care Improves Vestibular Function in Patients with Vestibular Neuritis.

This study aimed to explore the effect of health education combined with psychological care on patients with vestibular neuritis and the effect on their vestibular function. One hundred patients with vestibular neuritis admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled and divided into two groups by the random number: the control group (CG) (= 53, health education) and the study group (SG) (= 47, health education + psychological care). The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) scores, Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores, depression scores (SDS), anxiety scores (SAS), satisfaction with care, compliance, incidence of falls, quality of life (QOF), and clinical symptom scores were compared between the two groups.

Development and Clinical Validation of a Blood Test for Early Detection of Colorectal Adenomas and Cancer for Screening and Postpolypectomy Surveillance.

Background And Aims: There is a lack of convenient, sensitive, noninvasive strategies for screening and surveillance for colorectal neoplasia. An assay combining the results of circulating epithelial cells (CECs) and somatic mutations of cell-free DNA adjusting for age/sex using a unique algorithm is evaluated in patients requiring colonoscopy.

Methods: A prospective single-site 458-subject study (asymptomatic: 43% screening/43% surveillance, enriched with 65 symptomatic subjects undergoing colonoscopy) was conducted.

Jug-PLGA-NPs, a New Form of Juglone with Enhanced Efficiency and Reduced Toxicity on Melanoma.

Objective: To verrify the anti-tumor efficacy and toxicity between juglone (Jug) and Jug-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (Jug-PLGA-NPs).

Methods: Jug-PLGA-NPs were prepared by ultrasonic emulsification. The anti-tumor activity of Jug (2, 3, 4 µg/mL) and Jug-PLGA-NPs (Jug: 2, 3, 4 µg/mL) in vitro was measured by MTT assay and cell apoptosis analysis.

The Functionally Characterization of Putative Genes Involved in the Formation of Mannose in the Aplanospore Cell Wall of (Volvocales, Chlorophyta).

Unicellular volvocalean green algal , known as astaxanthin rich microalgae, transforms into aplanospore stage from the flagellate stage when exposed to the stress environments. However, the mechanism of the formation of aplanospore cell wall, which hinders the extraction of astaxanthin and the genetic manipulation is still unclear. In this study, the cell wall components under salicylic acid and high light stresses were explored, and cellulose was considered the main component in the flagellates, which changed gradually into mannose in the aplanospore stages.

Analytical validation of the CellMax platform for early detection of cancer by enumeration of rare circulating tumor cells.

The CellMax (CMx®) platform was developed to enrich for epithelial circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the whole blood. This report provides assay performance data, including accuracy, linearity, limit of blank, limit of detection (LOD), specificity, and precision of enumeration of cancer cell line cells (CLCs) spiked in cell culture medium or healthy donor blood samples. Additionally, assay specificity was demonstrated in 32 young healthy donors and clinical feasibility was demonstrated in a cohort of 47 subjects consisting of healthy donors and patients who were colonoscopy verified to have colorectal cancer, adenomas, or a negative result.

Novel Circulating Tumor Cell Assay for Detection of Colorectal Adenomas and Cancer.

Objectives: There is a significant unmet need for a blood test with adequate sensitivity to detect colorectal cancer (CRC) and adenomas. We describe a novel circulating tumor cell (CTC) platform to capture colorectal epithelial cells associated with CRC and adenomas.

Methods: Blood was collected from 667 Taiwanese adults from 2012 to 2018 before a colonoscopy.

Detection of Circulating Tumor DNA with a Single-Molecule Sequencing Analysis Validated for Targeted and Immunotherapy Selection.

Introduction: Comprehensive genetic cancer profiling using circulating tumor DNA has enabled the detection of National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline-recommended somatic alterations from a single, non-invasive blood draw. However, reliably detecting somatic variants at low variant allele fractions (VAFs) remains a challenge for next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based tests. We have developed the single-molecule sequencing (SMSEQ) platform to address these challenges.

Novel circulating tumor cell-based blood test for the assessment of PD-L1 protein expression in treatment-naïve, newly diagnosed patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

We evaluated the analytical and clinical performance of a novel circulating tumor cell (CTC)-based blood test for determination of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein expression status in real time in treatment-naïve non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. CTCs were detected in 86% of patients with NSCLC (I-IV) at the time of diagnosis, with a 67% PD-L1 positivity rate (≥ 1 PDL + CTC). Among 33 NSCLC patients with PD-L1 results available via both tissue immunohistochemistry (IHC) and CTC assays, 78.

CSF-ctDNA SMSEQ Analysis to Tailor the Treatment of a Patient with Brain Metastases: A Case Report.

Brain metastases are the most common neurological complications of adult cancers, accounting for more than half of brain tumors. The incidence of brain metastases may be increasing due to improved detection of small lesions by advanced imaging technologies. Given the fast evolution of targeted and immunotherapy regimens, it is essential to serially assess brain malignancies during the disease course for disease monitoring and tailoring of the therapeutic management.

Enhancing surgical performance by adopting expert musicians' practice and performance strategies.

Background: Surgery is a performing art-each surgical procedure is a live performance that has immediate and irreversible consequences for both the performer and the audience. Surgeons operate with surgical instruments, whereas musicians perform with musical instruments. Both perform in high-stress, high-risk work environments, where small errors in motor performance or judgment can have immediate negative consequences.

Liquid Biopsy Prevents Inaccurate Her2 Status Determination by in situ Hybridization in a Patient with Invasive Ductal Adenocarcinoma of the Breast: Case Report.

Utilization of circulating tumor DNA as a novel and noninvasive test for diagnosis confirmation, therapy selection, and cancer surveillance is a rapidly growing area of interest. In the wake of FDA approval of a liquid biopsy test, it is important for clinicians to acknowledge the obvious clinical utility of liquid biopsy for cancer management throughout the course of the disease. This case report describes a female with invasive ductal adenocarcinoma of the breast, where liquid biopsy was instrumental for her cancer characterization and personalized therapy selection.

[Effect of nursing intervention on improving quality of life of patients with advanced schistosomiasis].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of nursing intervention on the quality of life of patients with advanced schistosomiasis.

Methods: A total of 226 cases of advanced schistosomiasis were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group (113 cases each). The patients in the control group received the conventional nursing, while the patients in the experimental group received the conventional nursing plus other interventions such as the health education, psychological counseling and diet guidance.

Identifying signatures of natural selection in Tibetan and Andean populations using dense genome scan data.

High-altitude hypoxia (reduced inspired oxygen tension due to decreased barometric pressure) exerts severe physiological stress on the human body. Two high-altitude regions where humans have lived for millennia are the Andean Altiplano and the Tibetan Plateau. Populations living in these regions exhibit unique circulatory, respiratory, and hematological adaptations to life at high altitude.