Innovative approaches in the discovery of terpenoid natural products.

As a class of natural compounds ubiquitous in nature, diverse terpenoids exhibit a broad spectrum of applications in human endeavors. The efficient discovery of novel terpenoids and the establishment of a terpene library for broad utilization represent pressing challenges in terpenoid natural product research. Various microbial platforms offer abundant precursors for terpene biosynthesis from diverse sources.

Does the Lens Deflection Angle Affect Laparoscopic Camera Navigation?

In laparoscopic surgery, a 30° lens is frequently used to obtain a wider field of view. However, it is difficult for inexperienced surgeons to maintain the horizontal state of the image in laparoscopic camera navigation (LCN). If there is a great deviation in the camera's horizontal axis, it may result in ambiguous anatomical recognition, which could impair patient safety.

Dorsal venous complex ligation-free and parietal endopelvic fascia preserving in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: A prospective study of single centre.

Objectives: This study aims to describe a novel dorsal venous complex (DVC) ligation-free and parietal endopelvic fascia preserving technique for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and to evaluate its post-operative outcomes.

Methods: From April 2020 to May 2021, a total of 125 patients with localized prostate cancer received laparoscopic radical prostatectomy by a single surgeon. In the procedure, a novel technique of DVC ligation-free and parietal endopelvic fascia preserving was used.

Mevalonate pathway inhibition reduces bladder cancer metastasis by modulating RhoB protein stability and integrin β1 localization.

The progression and outcome of bladder cancer (BLCA) are critically affected by the propensity of tumor metastasis. Our previous study revealed that activation of the mevalonate (MVA) pathway promoted migration of BLCA cells; however, the exact mechanism is unclear. Here we show that elevated expression of MVA pathway enzymes in BLCA cells, correlating with poorer patient prognosis by analyzing single-cell and bulk-transcriptomic datasets.

Efficacy and Safety of Semirigid Ureteroscopy Combined with Holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet Laser Lithotripsy for the Treatment of Proximal Ureteral Calculi: A Single-arm Meta-analysis.

Background And Objective: Ureteral stones are currently treated with holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser lithotripsy using rigid and flexible ureteroscopes. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of semirigid ureteroscopy combined with Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy for treating proximal ureteral stones in real-world studies.

Methods: The PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched systematically to retrieve all relevant studies up to April 2024.

Reducing low-frequency noise radiation from a concrete box girder bridge using acoustic short circuits.

Low-frequency noise (20-200 Hz) radiated from concrete box girder bridges on urban viaduct railway lines is a significant source of disturbance to nearby residents. Many researchers have investigated methods which can be used to effectively reduce this bridge noise. Currently, most of the methods are based on the principles of vibration isolation and/or absorption.

Pathological Microenvironment-Remodeling Nanoparticles to Alleviate Liver Fibrosis: Reversing Hepatocytes-Hepatic Stellate Cells Malignant Crosstalk.

During the onset and malignant development of liver fibrosis, the pernicious interplay between damaged hepatocytes and activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) induce a self-perpetuating vicious cycle, deteriorating fibrosis progression and posing a grave threat to public health. The secretions released by damaged hepatocytes and activated HSCs interact through autocrine or paracrine mechanisms, involving multiple signaling pathways. This interaction creates a harsh microenvironment and weakens the therapeutic efficacy of single-cell-centric drugs.

Machine Learning-Based Detection of Bladder Cancer by Urine cfDNA Fragmentation Hotspots that Capture Cancer-Associated Molecular Features.

Background: cfDNA fragmentomics-based liquid biopsy is a potential option for noninvasive bladder cancer (BLCA) detection that remains an unmet clinical need.

Methods: We assessed the diagnostic performance of cfDNA hotspot-driven machine-learning models in a cohort of 55 BLCA patients, 51 subjects with benign conditions, and 11 healthy volunteers. We further performed functional bioinformatics analysis for biological understanding and interpretation of the tool's diagnostic capability.

Deubiquitylase USP52 Promotes Bladder Cancer Progression by Modulating Ferroptosis through Stabilizing SLC7A11/xCT.

Bladder cancer (BLCA) is a prevalent cancer with high case-fatality rates and a substantial economic burden worldwide. Understanding its molecular underpinnings to guide clinical management is crucial. Ferroptosis, a recently described non-apoptotic form of cell death, is initiated by the lethal accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxidation products.

TAF1D promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a malignant tumor needs more effective treatments. TATA box-binding protein-associated factor RNA polymerase I subunit D (TAF1D) is a member of the selective factor 1 complex and functions in RNA polymerase I-dependent transcription. Higher TAF1D expression was found in ccRCC tumor tissues and indicated worse survival.

Zero-Intrarenal Pressure Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for One-Stage Treatment of Non-Acute Infectious Calculous Pyonephrosis: A Strategy to Avert Sepsis.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel zero-intrarenal pressure (IRP) percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) technique for one-stage treatment of non-acute infectious calculous pyonephrosis. This retrospective study analyzed 12 patients (4 males, 8 females; mean age 56.4 years) who underwent zero-IRP PCNL.

A thermo-sensitive hydrogel with prominent hemostatic effect prevents tumor recurrence via anti-anoikis-resistance.

Tumor cells can survive when detached from the extracellular matrix (ECM) or lose cell-cell connections, a phenomenon known as anoikis-resistance (AR). AR is closely associated with tumor cell metastasis and recurrence, enabling tumor cells to disseminate, migrate, and invade after detachment. To address this issue, a novel intervention method combining intraoperative hemostasis with multifunctional nanozyme driven-enhanced chemodynamic therapy (ECDT) has been proposed, which holds the potential to weaken the AR capability of tumor cells and suppress tumor recurrence.

Unveiling the association between HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and bladder cancer: a comprehensive analysis using Mendelian randomization, animal models, and transcriptomics.

This study utilized Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and genome-wide association study (GWAS) data to investigate the association between commonly prescribed drugs and bladder cancer (BLCA) risk. Our results revealed that HMG CoA reductase (HMGCR) inhibitors, specifically simvastatin, are significantly associated with reduced BLCA risk. We further showed that simvastatin could significantly inhibit BLCA proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in animal models, with transcriptomic data identifying several pathways associated with these processes.

Laboratory animal ethics education improves medical students' awareness of laboratory animal ethics.

Objective: In this study, we added laboratory animal ethics education into both didactic sessions and practical sessions the general surgery laboratory course, with the didactic sessions focus on teaching the fundamental principles of laboratory animal ethics, while the practical sessions emphasize the application of these principles in laboratory classes and have assessed the changes in medical students' perception of laboratory animal ethics following medical students exposure to such education.

Methods: One hundred and eighty-nine third-year medical students from Wuhan University's Second Clinical College completed a laboratory animal ethics awareness questionnaire and a laboratory animal ethics written examination before and after laboratory animal ethics education.

Results: After receiving laboratory animal ethics education, the percentage of students who supported euthanasia for the execution of animals and humane treatment of laboratory animals were 95.

Combinatorial Biosynthesis Creates a Novel Aglycone Polyether with High Potency and Low Side Effects Against Bladder Cancer.

Polyethers play a crucial role in the development of anticancer drugs. To enhance the anticancer efficacy and reduce the toxicity of these compounds, thereby advancing their application in cancer treatment, herein, guided by the structure-activity relationships of aglycone polyethers, novel aglycone polyethers are rationally redesigned with potentially improved efficacy and reduced toxicity against tumors. To realize the biosynthesis of the novel aglycone polyethers, the gene clusters and the post-polyketide synthase tailoring pathways for aglycone polyethers endusamycin and lenoremycin are identified and subjected to combinatorial biosynthesis studies, resulting in the creation of a novel aglycone polyether termed End-16, which demonstrates significant potential for treating bladder cancer (BLCA).

Skill assessment based on clutch use in cross-platform robot-assisted surgery.

Background: Many studies have investigated the transfer of skills between laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgery (RAS). These studies have considered time, error, and clinical outcomes in the assessment of skill transfer. However, little is known about the specific operations of the surgeon.

CBioProfiler: A Web and Standalone Pipeline for Cancer Biomarker and Subtype Characterization.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and the identification of biomarkers and subtypes that can predict the long-term survival of cancer patients is essential for their risk stratification, treatment, and prognosis. However, there are currently no standardized tools for exploring cancer biomarkers or subtypes. In this study, we introduced Cancer Biomarker and subtype Profiler (CBioProfiler), a web server and standalone application that includes two pipelines for analyzing cancer biomarkers and subtypes.

ACAT1 promotes proliferation and metastasis of bladder cancer via AKT/GSK3β/c-Myc signaling pathway.

Acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) plays a significant role in the regulation of gene expression and tumorigenesis. However, the biological role of ACAT1 in bladder cancer (BLCA) has yet to be elucidated. This research aimed to elucidate the bioinformatics features and biological functions of ACAT1 in BLCA.

Optimal parameter settings of thulium fiber laser for ureteral stone lithotripsy: a comparative study in two different testing environments.

This study aims to identify optimal parameters for using Thulium fiber lasers (TFL) in ureteral stone lithotripsy to ensure laser safety and maximize efficacy. Our goal is to improve the outcomes of single-use semi-rigid ureteroscopy for treating stones located in the proximal ureter. A clinically relevant thermal testing device was designed to investigate heating effects during TFL stone fragmentation.

Tracking single-cell evolution using clock-like chromatin accessibility loci.

Single-cell chromatin accessibility sequencing (scATAC-seq) reconstructs developmental trajectory by phenotypic similarity. However, inferring the exact developmental trajectory is challenging. Previous studies showed age-associated DNA methylation (DNAm) changes in specific genomic regions, termed clock-like differential methylation loci (ClockDML).

Integrative Single Cell Atlas Revealed Intratumoral Heterogeneity Generation from an Adaptive Epigenetic Cell State in Human Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma.

Intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) of bladder cancer (BLCA) contributes to therapy resistance and immune evasion affecting clinical prognosis. The molecular and cellular mechanisms contributing to BLCA ITH generation remain elusive. It is found that a TM4SF1-positive cancer subpopulation (TPCS) can generate ITH in BLCA, evidenced by integrative single cell atlas analysis.

Long-term immunogenicity and safety of heterologous boosting with a SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine (SYS6006) in Chinese participants who had received two or three doses of inactivated vaccine.

The emerging new variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) needs booster vaccination. We evaluated the long-term safety and immunogenicity of heterologous boosting with a SARS-CoV-2 messenger RNA vaccine SYS6006. A total of 1000 participants aged 18 years or more who had received two (Group A) or three (Group B) doses of SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine were enrolled and vaccinated with one dose of SYS6006 which was designed based on the prototype spike protein and introduced mutation sites.

Blood metabolites mediate the impact of lifestyle factors on the risk of urolithiasis: a multivariate, mediation Mendelian randomization study.

Urolithiasis is closely linked to lifestyle factors. However, the causal relationship and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the relationship between lifestyle factors and the onset of urolithiasis and explore potential blood metabolite mediators and their role in mediating this relationship.