Smad2 Cooperating with TGIF2 Contributes to EMT and Cancer Stem Cells Properties in Pancreatic Cancer via Co-Targeting SOX2.

The underlying mechanisms between cancer stem cells (CSC) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in pancreatic cancer (PC) remain unclear. In this study, we identified TGIF2 as a target gene of CSC using sncRNA and machine learning. TGIF2 is closely related to the expression of SOX2, EGFR, and E-cadherin, indicating poor prognosis.

Echocardiography interpretation training and internal medicine milestones: A pilot study.

Background/purpose: The competency-based Internal Medicine Milestones (IMM) assesses physician training outcomes through six key competencies. This pilot study introduced IMM concepts through an echocardiography report interpretation course for postgraduate students (PGYs) and residents (Rs). We aimed to help young physicians understand and track competency development as they receive cardiovascular training, with a view to expanding IMM usage for all junior physicians.

PDPN+ cancer-associated fibroblasts enhance gastric cancer angiogenesis via AKT/NF-κB activation and the CCL2-ACKR1 axis.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are intrinsic components of the tumor microenvironment that promote cancer progression and metastasis. Through an unbiased integrated analysis of gastric tumor grade and stage, we identified a subset of proangiogenic CAFs characterized by high podoplanin (PDPN) expression, which are significantly enriched in metastatic lesions and secrete chemokine (CC-motif) ligand 2 (CCL2). Mechanistically, PDPN(+) CAFs enhance angiogenesis by activating the AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Development of a novel ICT-ESIPT-based NIR ratiometric fluorescent probe for specific detection of Hg in the environment and living organisms.

As a heavy metal contaminant, mercury ion (Hg) has caused great harm to environment and life. Mercury ions will migrate and transform in the environment and eventually accumulate in the human body, thus causing human poisoning. Therefore, it is of great significance to detect Hg in the environment and living bodies.

Temperature-sensitive driving assembled fluorescence hydrogel based dual-mode sensor for adsorbing and detecting of heavy metal cadmium ions in food and water.

The denatured bovine serum albumin (dBSA) is coupled with the CdTe/CdS quantum dot and the resulting CdTe/CdS@dBSA complex is assembled and retained in the poly(n-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogel via regulating temperature and pH to form the CdTe/CdS@dBSA-PNIPAM fluorescence hydrogel substrate, which is able to adsorb and sense cadmium ions (Cd). Based on this fluorescence hydrogel, a fluorescence and colorimetric dual-mode detection system is established to quantitatively detect Cd with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.88 nM for fluorescence detection and 11.