Breaking the mold: Unconventional T cells in cancer therapy.

Unconventional T cells, including invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, gamma delta (γδ) T cells, and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, play important roles in both innate and adaptive immunity. These cells respond to tumors rapidly and influence the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recent advances in understanding their biology, as well as the development of novel therapeutic approaches, have underscored their potential in cancer immunotherapy.

Deformation Control in Mesoscale Micro-Milling of Curved Thin-Walled Structures.

The micro-machining scale effect makes it challenging to forecast and control the process parameters of the micro-milling process, which makes the micro-flanking-milling of weak-rigidity micro-thin-walled parts prone to deformation. To determine the critical cutting parameters for chip formation in the micro-milling of curved thin-walled parts at the mesoscale, the strain-softening effect of titanium alloy during high-speed milling and the scale effect of mesoscale cutting were comprehensively considered and a finite element prediction model for curved micro-thin-wall micro-milling was established to determine the critical milling parameters for effective material removal. Based on the determined milling parameters, an experimental design of response surface optimization was carried out.

Viscoelastic synthetic antigen-presenting cells for augmenting the potency of cancer therapies.

The use of synthetic antigen-presenting cells to activate and expand engineered T cells for the treatment of cancers typically results in therapies that are suboptimal in effectiveness and durability. Here we describe a high-throughput microfluidic system for the fabrication of synthetic cells mimicking the viscoelastic and T-cell-activation properties of antigen-presenting cells. Compared with rigid or elastic microspheres, the synthetic viscoelastic T-cell-activating cells (SynVACs) led to substantial enhancements in the expansion of human CD8 T cells and to the suppression of the formation of regulatory T cells.

Electroacupuncture inhibited carrageenan-induced pain aversion by activating GABAergic neurons in the ACC.

Pain aversion is an avoidance response to painful stimuli. Previous research has indicated that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is involved in pain aversion processing. However, as interneurons, the role of GABAergic neurons in the ACC (GABA neurons) in pain aversion is still unclear.

The learning curve for modified hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic living donor nephrectomy.

Background: We aimed to introduce our modified hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic living donor nephrectomy (HARPLDN) technique and define the learning curve.

Methods: One hundred thirty-eight kidney donors who underwent modified HARPLDN by the same surgeon between May 2015 and March 2022 were included. A cumulative sum (CUSUM) learning curve analysis was performed with the total operation time as the study outcome.

Omicron Variant of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Chinese Kidney Transplantation Population: A Nine-month Follow-up in Repeated Infection and Changes in Kidney Function.

Background: China experienced one of the largest spikes in COVID-19 several months ago, followed by multiple rounds of reinfections. COVID-19 predisposes to the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) which has a higher developing risk in organ transplant recipients. However, few studies reported multiple infections and changes in renal function in the kidney transplant population in China.

Relationship between hearing loss and depression: A cross-sectional analysis from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2018.

Background: Hearing loss is a prevalent issue resulting from loud noise exposure, aging, diseases, and genetic differences. As individuals age, the likelihood of experiencing hearing loss and depression escalates; yet, the link between hearing loss and the risk of depression remains ambiguous. This study explores the relationship between hearing and depression risk, taking into account sociodemographic and health-related factors.

Modulation of Comorbid Chronic Neuropathic Pain and Anxiety-Like Behaviors by Glutamatergic Neurons in the Ventrolateral Periaqueductal Gray and the Analgesic and Anxiolytic Effects of Electroacupuncture.

Comorbid chronic neuropathic pain and anxiety is a common disease that represents a major clinical challenge. The underlying mechanisms of chronic neuropathic pain and anxiety are not entirely understood, which limits the exploration of effective treatment methods. Glutamatergic neurons in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) have been implicated in regulating pain, but the potential roles of the vlPAG in neuropathic pain-induced anxiety have not been investigated.

Serum Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Long-Term Complications of Liver Cirrhosis: Evidence from a Population-Based Prospective Study.

Background And Aims: The role of serum branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in long-term liver cirrhosis complication events remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the associations between serum BCAAs and the risk of liver-related events.

Methods: We included a total of 64,005 participants without liver cirrhosis complication events at baseline from the UK Biobank.

Engineering allorejection-resistant CAR-NKT cells from hematopoietic stem cells for off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapy.

The clinical potential of current FDA-approved chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T (CAR-T) cell therapy is encumbered by its autologous nature, which presents notable challenges related to manufacturing complexities, heightened costs, and limitations in patient selection. Therefore, there is a growing demand for off-the-shelf universal cell therapies. In this study, we have generated universal CAR-engineered NKT (CAR-NKT) cells by integrating iNKT TCR engineering and HLA gene editing on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), along with an ex vivo, feeder-free HSC differentiation culture.

Development of a Risk Prediction Model for Infection After Kidney Transplantation Transmitted from Bacterial Contaminated Preservation Solution.

Background: The risk of transplant recipient infection is unknown when the preservation solution culture is positive.

Methods: We developed a prediction model to evaluate the infection in kidney transplant recipients within microbial contaminated preservation solution. Univariate logistic regression was utilized to identify risk factors for infection.

Music intervention in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: To explore whether music intervention improves the quality of life (QOL) of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and to evaluate its impact on patients' symptoms of depression/anxiety and fatigue.

Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The databases PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched from inception to September 30, 2022.

Comparison between Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Nephrectomy and Traditional Open Nephrectomy to Treat Polycystic Kidney Disease before Kidney Transplantation.

Purpose: To compare the efficiency and safety between retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy and traditional open nephrectomy to treat autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease before kidney transplantation.

Materials And Methods: A total of 57 patients diagnosed with huge autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease between 2000 and 2020 at our center were included in this study. Patients were divided into a retroperitoneal laparoscopic (RL; n=23) group and traditional open (TO; n = 34) group.

A neural circuit associated with anxiety-like behaviors induced by chronic inflammatory pain and the anxiolytic effects of electroacupuncture.

Aims: Negative emotions induced by chronic pain are a serious clinical problem. Electroacupuncture (EA) is a clinically proven safe and effective method to manage pain-related negative emotions. However, the circuit mechanisms underlying the effect of EA treatment on negative emotions remain unclear.

Advancements in CRISPR screens for the development of cancer immunotherapy strategies.

CRISPR screen technology enables systematic and scalable interrogation of gene function by using the CRISPR-Cas9 system to perturb gene expression. In the field of cancer immunotherapy, this technology has empowered the discovery of genes, biomarkers, and pathways that regulate tumor development and progression, immune reactivity, and the effectiveness of immunotherapeutic interventions. By conducting large-scale genetic screens, researchers have successfully identified novel targets to impede tumor growth, enhance anti-tumor immune responses, and surmount immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment (TME).

Analysis of Anxiety and Influencing Factors in Kidney Transplant Recipients and General Public During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on mental health worldwide. Kidney transplant recipients represent a vulnerable population that may experience increased anxiety due to their health concerns and the risk of infection. This study aims to delve into the psychological anxiety levels and influential factors of kidney transplant patients during the Omicron variant of COVID-19 pandemic in China.

miR-377-3p Regulates Hippocampal Neurogenesis via the Zfp462-Pbx1 Pathway and Mediates Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Prenatal Hypoxic Offspring.

Prenatal hypoxia (PH) is one of the most common complications of obstetrics and is closely associated with many neurological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. Our previous study found that Zfp462 heterozygous (Het) mice exhibit significant anxiety-like behavior. Interestingly, offspring mice with PH also have anxiety-like behaviors in adulthood, accompanied by reduced expression of Zfp462 and increased expression of miR-377-3p; however, the exact regulatory mechanisms remain unclear.

Exploring the dynamic interplay between cancer stem cells and the tumor microenvironment: implications for novel therapeutic strategies.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have emerged as key contributors to tumor initiation, growth, and metastasis. In addition, CSCs play a significant role in inducing immune evasion, thereby compromising the effectiveness of cancer treatments. The reciprocal communication between CSCs and the tumor microenvironment (TME) is observed, with the TME providing a supportive niche for CSC survival and self-renewal, while CSCs, in turn, influence the polarization and persistence of the TME, promoting an immunosuppressive state.