Enhancing the prediction of mutation status in Asian lung adenocarcinoma: a comprehensive approach combining clinical, dual-energy spectral computed tomography, and radiomics features.

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a sub-type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is often associated with genetic alterations, including the Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog () mutation. The mutation is particularly challenging to treat due to resistance to targeted therapies. This study aims to develop a predictive model for the mutation in patients with LUAD by integrating clinical, dual-energy spectral computed tomography (DESCT), and radiomics features.

Treatment patterns and clinical outcomes of resectable central non-small cell lung cancer patients undergoing sleeve lobectomy: a large-scale, single-center, real-world study.

Background: In the treatment of central-type non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), sleeve lobectomy (SL) has emerged as the surgical treatment of choice over pneumonectomy (PN). This retrospective study evaluates the clinical profiles and prognostic elements impacting survival and recurrence rates in patients who underwent SL.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 288 patients who underwent SL from January 2010 to December 2023.

Identification of transcription factors associated with leaf senescence in tobacco.

Leaf senescence represents the final stage of leaf development, involving transcription factors (TFs)-mediated genetic reprogramming events. The timing of crop leaf senescence has a major influence on the yield and quality of crop in agricultural production. As important regulator of plant growth, the significance of TFs in the regulation of leaf senescence have been highlighted in various plant species by recent advances in genetics.

Adsorption and solar light activity of noble metal adatoms (Au and Zn) on Fe(111) surface: a first-principles study.

Noble metals such as gold (Au), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) are highly significant in both fundamental and technological contexts owing to their applications in optoelectronics, optical coatings, transparent coatings, photodetectors, light-emitting devices, photovoltaics, nanotechnology, batteries, and thermal barrier coatings. This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the optoelectronic properties of Fe(111) and Au, Zn/Fe(111) materials using density functional theory (DFT) first-principles method with a focus on both materials' spin orientations. The optoelectronic properties were obtained employing the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) approach, integrating the exchange-correlation function with the Hubbard potential U for improved accuracy.

Advancing mid-rectal cancer surgery: Unveiling the potential of natural orifice specimen extraction surgery in comparison to conventional laparoscopic-assisted resection.

Background: Mid-rectal cancer treatment traditionally involves conventional laparoscopic-assisted resection (CLAR). This study aimed to assess the clinical and therapeutic advantages of Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction Surgery (NOSES) over CLAR.

Aims: To compare the clinical outcomes, intraoperative metrics, postoperative recovery, complications, and long-term prognosis between NOSES and CLAR groups.

Revolutionizing Treatment Strategies for Autoimmune and Inflammatory Disorders: The Impact of Dipeptidyl-Peptidase 4 Inhibitors.

DPP4 (Dipeptidyl-peptidase 4) a versatile protease, emerges as a prominent player in soluble and membrane-bound forms. Its heightened expression has been intimately linked to the initiation and severity of diverse autoimmune diseases, spanning rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis (SSc), inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune diabetes, and even SARS-CoV-2 infection. Operating as a co-stimulator of T cell activity, DPP4 propels T cell proliferation by binding adenosine deaminase (ADA), thereby augmenting the breakdown of adenosine-an influential inhibitor of T cell proliferation.

Cell-free DNA as a potential diagnostic biomarker in academic stress: A case-control study in young adults.

Background: Stress is a pervasive issue in modern life, affecting both physical and mental health. Identifying biomarkers like cell-free DNA (cfDNA) could provide insights into stress response and help detect individuals at risk for stress-related disorders.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the potential use of cfDNA as a diagnostic biomarker in individuals experiencing stress.

Genome-Wide Studies of Family Members in Soybean () and Their Responses under Abiotic Stresses.

Formins or formin homology 2 (FH2) proteins, evolutionarily conserved multi-domain proteins in eukaryotes, serve as pivotal actin organizers, orchestrating the structure and dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton. However, a comprehensive investigation into the formin family and their plausible involvement in abiotic stress remains undocumented in soybean (). In the current study, 34 soybean ()family members were discerned, their genomic distribution spanning the twenty chromosomes in a non-uniform pattern.

In silico analysis of the Val66Met mutation in BDNF protein: implications for psychological stress.

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) involves stress regulation and psychiatric disorders. The Val66Met polymorphism in the BDNF gene has been linked to altered protein function and susceptibility to stress-related conditions. This in silico analysis aimed to predict and analyze the consequences of the Val66Met mutation in the BDNF gene of stressed individuals.

Natural compound targeting BDNF V66M variant: insights from in silico docking and molecular analysis.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin gene family gene that encodes proteins vital for the growth, maintenance, and survival of neurons in the nervous system. The study aimed to screen natural compounds against BDNF variant (V66M), which affects memory, cognition, and mood regulation. BDNF variant (V66M) as a target structure was selected, and Vitamin D, Curcumin, Vitamin C, and Quercetin as ligands structures were taken from PubChem database.

Efficacy of bioactive compounds of Chaihu () on glaucomatous optic atrophy through interleukin-6/hypoxia inducible factor-1α signal pathway.

Objective: To investigate the bioactive compounds of Chaihu () (RB) on glaucomatous optic atrophy (GOA), and to study the pharmacological mechanism.

Methods: We collected information on the bioactive compounds of RB from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Targets related to bioactive compounds and GOA were also obtained.

Efficacy of cell-free DNA methylation-based blood test for colorectal cancer screening in high-risk population: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Although colonoscopy is the standard screening test for colorectal cancer (CRC), its use is limited by a poor compliance rate, the need for extensive bowel preparation, and the risk of complications. As an alternative, an FDA-approved stool-based DNA test, Cologuard, has demonstrated satisfactory detection performance for CRC, but its compliance rate remains suboptimal, primarily attributable to individuals' reluctance to provide stool samples.

Methods: We developed a noninvasive blood-based CRC test, ColonSecure, based on cell-free DNA containing cancer-specific CpG island methylation patterns.

Subcellular compartmentalization in the biosynthesis and engineering of plant natural products.

Plant natural products (PNPs) are specialized metabolites with diverse bioactivities. They are extensively used in the pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical and food industries. PNPs are synthesized in plant cells by enzymes that are distributed in different subcellular compartments with unique microenvironments, such as ions, co-factors and substrates.

Reigniting hope in cancer treatment: the promise and pitfalls of IL-2 and IL-2R targeting strategies.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and its receptor (IL-2R) are essential in orchestrating immune responses. Their function and expression in the tumor microenvironment make them attractive targets for immunotherapy, leading to the development of IL-2/IL-2R-targeted therapeutic strategies. However, the dynamic interplay between IL-2/IL-2R and various immune cells and their dual roles in promoting immune activation and tolerance presents a complex landscape for clinical exploitation.

H3K4me3-related lncRNAs signature and comprehensive analysis of H3K4me3 regulating tumor immunity in lung adenocarcinoma.

Backgroud: The role of epigenetic modifications in tumorigenesis has been widely reported. However, the role and mechanism of H3K4me3 modification in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) are rarely reported systematically. We, therefore, sought to analyze the characteristics of LUAD associated with H3K4me3 modification, build an H3K4me3-lncRNAs score model to predict the prognosis of patients with LUAD and clarify the potential value of H3K4me3 in immunotherapy of LUAD.

Minimally invasive versus open esophagectomy for resectable thoracic esophageal cancer (NST 1502): a multicenter prospective cohort study.

Background: Whether minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is superior to open esophagectomy (OE) in the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is still uncertain. Therefore, this multicenter prospective study aimed to compare MIE with OE in postoperative parameters and long-term survival.

Methods: All hospitalized patients with cT1b-3N0-1M0 thoracic ESCC treated by MIE or OE were enrolled from 19 selected centers from April 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018.

The role of urine and serum biomarkers in the early detection of ovarian epithelial tumours.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the leading causes of gynaecological cancer mortality in women worldwide. If detected at an early stage (I, II), OC has a 90% 5-year survival rate; nevertheless, symptoms are often hidden, leading to late-stage (III, IV) diagnosis and a poor prognosis. The current diagnostic procedures, such as a pelvic exam, transvaginal ultrasound, CA-125 blood tests, serum HE4 tests and multivariate index assays (MIA), are insufficient.

BATF reprograms the tumor immune status.

The AP-1 family member BATF maintains immune cell function. Two recent papers by Zhang et al. and Itahashi et al.

Laparoscopic natural orifice specimen extraction, a minimally invasive surgical technique for mid-rectal cancers: Retrospective single-center analysis and single-surgeon experience of selected patients.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and short-term outcomes of middle rectal resection followed by transanal specimen extraction.

Methods: Forty-four patients with small mid-rectal tumors underwent laparoscopic rectal resection followed by transanal specimen extraction.

Results: The procedure was successful in all patients without intraoperative conversion or additional access.

Efficacy and safety of esophagectomy via left thoracic approach versus via right thoracic approach for middle and lower thoracic esophageal cancer: a multicenter randomized clinical trial (NST1501).

Background: Left thoracic approach (LTA) has been a favorable selection in surgical treatment for esophageal cancer (EC) patients in China before minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is popular. This study aimed to demonstrate whether right thoracic approach (RTA) is superior to LTA in the surgical treatment of middle and lower thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (TESCC).

Methods: Superiority clinical trial design was used for this multicenter randomized controlled two-parallel group study.

Anthropological analyses of 30 insertion/deletion autosomal markers in five major ethnic groups of Pakistan.

We investigated the forensic efficacy of the 30 insertion/deletion (Indel) markers included in the Qiagen Investigator® DIPplex kit in 529 Pakistani individuals from five major subpopulations in Pakistan (Punjabi, Pashtun, Sindhi, Saraiki, and Baloch). In the Sindhi population, the distribution of HLD81 and HLD97 alleles deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction. The combined match probability ranged from 2.

Analysis of Skin Pigmentation and Genetic Ancestry in Three Subpopulations from Pakistan: Punjabi, Pashtun, and Baloch.

Skin pigmentation is one of the most prominent and variable phenotypes in humans. We compared the alleles of 163 SNPs and indels from the Human Pigmentation (HuPi) AmpliSeq™ Custom panel, and biogeographic ancestry with the quantitative skin pigmentation levels on the upper arm, lower arm, and forehead of 299 Pakistani individuals from three subpopulations: Baloch, Pashtun, and Punjabi. The biogeographic ancestry of each individual was estimated using the Precision ID Ancestry Panel.

Forensic application and genetic diversity of 21 autosomal STR loci in five major population groups of Pakistan.

Objectives: Investigation of genetic diversity of the 21 autosomal STR loci included in the GlobalFilerTM PCR Amplification Kit in 529 Pakistani individuals belonging to the Punjabi, Pashtun, Sindhi, Saraiki, and Baloch ethnic groups. Population genetic parameters and forensic informative metrics for each group were evaluated.

Results: SE33 showed the greatest power of discrimination in all populations studied.

Comparative short- and long-term outcomes of three techniques of natural orifice specimen extraction surgery for rectal cancer.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) and to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of three techniques of NOSES for rectal cancer (RC).

Materials And Methods: A consecutive series of RC patients in stage I-III who underwent laparoscopic NOSES were enrolled. Three main techniques of NOSES included specimen eversion and extra-abdominal resection (EVER), specimen extraction and extra-abdominal resection (EXER) and intra-abdominal resection and specimen extraction (IREX).

miRNA-30d serves a critical function in colorectal cancer initiation, progression and invasion via directly targeting the GNA13 gene.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are reported to be dysregulated in the progression and invasion of various human cancer types, including colorectal cancer (CRC). They are also reported to be molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets in CRC. miRNAs serve functions in a plethora of biological processes, including proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis, and several miRNAs have been demonstrated to be involved in CRC carcinogenesis, invasion and metastasis.