Early Alpha-Fetoprotein Response Predicts Sustained Tumor Response Following Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Combined with Targeted Therapy in Liver Cancer.

Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized liver cancer treatment, some patients experience early tumor progression after therapy, missing the window for other potential treatments, such as neoadjuvant therapy. Therefore, identifying the predictive factors for early progression is critical for timely therapeutic adjustment and the optimization of patient outcomes. This retrospective study enrolled patients with liver cancer who received their first ICI combined with targeted therapy at the Fifth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital between June 2022 and December 2023.

Adipocyte-derived ferroptotic signaling mitigates obesity.

Ferroptosis is characterized as an iron-dependent and lipophilic form of cell death. However, it remains unclear what role ferroptosis has in adipose tissue function and activity. Here, we find a lower ferroptotic signature in the adipose tissue of individuals and mice with obesity.

Comprehensive analysis of the stress associated protein (SAP) family and the function of PagSAP9 from Populus alba × P. glandulosa in salt stress.

Poplar tree growth is frequently hindered by environmental stressors, particularly soil salinization. Enhancing salt tolerance is essential for improving their adaptability and biomass under these conditions. The Stress-Associated Protein (SAP) family, characterized by A20/AN1 zinc finger domains, plays a crucial role in plants' tolerance to abiotic stress.

Molecular Differences in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinomas from Black Versus White Patients.

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the US. Black or African American patients have a higher incidence of pancreatic cancer compared to other racial groups. It is unclear whether distinct molecular mechanisms are involved in the development of pancreatic cancer in different racial groups.

The Formation Mechanisms of np-Fe in Lunar Regolith: A Review.

Nanophase iron (np-Fe) is widely distributed on the surface of lunar soil particles, forming as a result of space weathering. These np-Fe particles contribute to the reddening and darkening of the visible to near-infrared spectra of weathered lunar material and serve as critical indicators for assessing the maturity of lunar soil. (1) This article reviews the proposed formation mechanisms of np-Fe particles from studies of Apollo and Luna soils, including the thermal reduction of iron melts, vapor deposition caused by micrometeorite impacts, and hydrogen reduction due to solar wind exposure.

Microplastics-exposure experience aggravates the accumulation of diarrhetic shellfish toxins (DSTs) in thick-shell mussel Mytilus coruscus through impairing detoxification processes.

Possessing sessile filter-feeding lifestyle, bivalves are more susceptible to contamination by benthic phycotoxins such as the diarrhetic shellfish toxins (DSTs). Due to the prevalence of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments, bivalve that experienced MP-exposure are potentially at higher risk from exposure to DSTs-producing microalgae, however, little is known about the impacts of past MP-exposure experience on the accumulation of DSTs. In this study, taking polystyrene (PS) MPs and DSTs-producing Prorocentrum lima as representatives, the impacts of MP-exposure on DSTs accumulation were evaluated in the thick-shell mussel Mytilus coruscus.

The dynamic of physicochemical properties, volatile compounds and microbial community during the fermentation of Chinese rice wine with diverse cereals.

This study investigates the impact of liquid state fermentation on the key flavor compounds and microbial community structure in Chinese rice wine brewed from five different raw materials: buckwheat, sorghum, japonica rice, glutinous rice, and black rice. Using HS-SPME-GC-MS and HPLC, the volatile compounds were analyzed across various grain liquefaction methods, detecting 82 volatiles, including esters, alcohols, aldehydes, and acids. The concentration of flavor compounds such as esters, amino acids, phenolic acids, and organic acids varied significantly depending on the raw material used.

A glutenin protein corona ameliorated TiO nanoparticle-induced gut barrier dysfunction and altered the gut microbiota composition.

Previously, we found that glutenin proteins formed a protein corona around food-grade titanium dioxide (TiO) nanoparticles. The protein corona would alter the gastrointestinal behavior and biological activity of the nanoparticles. Here, in this study, the influence of protein corona formation on the adverse effects of TiO nanoparticles on gut barrier function using and assays and the potential mechanism were investigated and elucidated.

Early stereotactic body radiation therapy improves progression-free survival of first-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in EGFR-mutated lung cancer: an observational cohort study.

Background: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in treating non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) exhibits a remarkable therapeutic efficacy. However, its effectiveness in overcoming resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in patients with advanced EGFR mutations (EGFRm) NSCLC remains uncertain.

Objective: We aimed to analyze the effect of SBRT on patients with first-line EGFR-TKIs.

Linker-Mediated Inactivation of the SAM-II Domain in the Tandem SAM-II/SAM-V Riboswitch.

Tandem SAM-II/SAM-V riboswitch belongs to a class of riboswitches found in the marine bacterium ' Pelagibacter ubique'. Previous studies have demonstrated that these riboswitches have the potential for digital modulation of gene expression at both the transcriptional and translational levels. In this study, we investigate the conformational changes in the tandem SAM-II/SAM-V riboswitch binding to S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) using selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by the primer extension (SHAPE) assay, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and oligos depressing probing.

Innovative management strategies for addressing paediatric medical staff shortages in underdeveloped cities in developing countries.

Background: Paediatric professional scarcity and uneven distribution is acute in underdeveloped regions, exacerbated by COVID-19's workload surge and burnout, highlighting the need for strengthened prevention and response measures.

Aim: Propose an effective talent management model to address the challenge of paediatric medical personnel shortage and lack of management experience in Underdeveloped cities of developing countries.

Methods: A crisis management plan has been implemented in a paediatric hospital in Henan, China, with a talent framework to ensure a skilled, stable workforce.

Functional analysis of PagERF021 gene in salt stress tolerance in Populus alba × P. glandulosa.

Poplar trees are crucial for timber and greening, but high levels of salt in the soil have severely limited the yield of poplar. Ethylene response factor (ERF) transcription factors play an important role in growth, development, and stress response in eukaryotes. Our study focused on the PagERF021 gene from Populus alba × P.

The impact of depression and anxiety on mobile phone addiction and the mediating effect of self-esteem.

Mobile phone addiction has become a widespread phenomenon in Chinese society, attracting significant social attention. However, there is still limited understanding of complexities and relationships concerning anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and mobile phone addiction (MPA) among college students. To better understand the relationships among depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and mobile phone addiction, the aim of this study was to explore these relationships, analyze the factors influencing mobile phone addiction, and examine the mediating effects of anxiety and self-esteem on the relationship between depression and mobile phone addiction.

Optimal dose and type of exercise to improve cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of RCTs.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a prodromal stage of dementia, characterized by cognitive decline exceeding that expected with normal aging. Exercise interventions have emerged as a promising approach to counter functional decline and enhance cognitive function in the elderly MCI population. However, the optimal exercise modalities and dosage (dose-response relationship) are understudied.

The value of fetal left ventricular global longitudinal strain in predicting neonatal complications in pregnant women with hypertensive disorders.

Background: Pregnancy-induced hypertension remains one of the important types of diseases that affect maternal and infant outcomes; prenatal and perinatal ultrasound examination is an important tool for evaluating fetal development. So, this study aimed to explore the clinical value of applying fetal heart quantification (fetal HQ) measuring left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in mid-to-late fetuses to predict neonatal complications in patients with gestational hypertension.

Methods: A retrospective summary of 146 pregnant women with gestational hypertension diagnosed from August 2020 to October 2023 into JinHua Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital was performed.

Mussel-inspired bifunctional coating for long-term stability of oral implants.

Peri-implantitis and osseointegration failure present considerable challenges to the prolonged stability of oral implants. To address these issues, there is an escalating demand for a resilient implant surface coating that seamlessly integrates antimicrobial features to combat bacteria-induced peri‑implantitis, and osteogenic properties to promote bone formation. In the present study, a bio-inspired poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (DA-PAMAM-NH) is synthesized by utilizing a mussel protein (DA) known for its strong adherence to various materials.

Quality deterioration of mashed potatoes during the freeze-thaw cycle: From the perspective of moisture and microstructure.

This study aimed to simulate cold chain sales temperatures to predict the effects of temperature fluctuations on the physicochemical properties, moisture distribution, microstructure, and flavor of mashed potatoes. The results showed a decline in the hardness and chewability of mashed potatoes alongside the migration of water from bound water states to weakly bound states under freeze-thaw cycles (FTC) conditions. Microstructural analysis indicated that the adhesive forces between proteins and starch granules were weakened, and the structure of mashed potatoes particles was destroyed following FTC.

Studies on immunological characteristics and transcriptomic analysis of Litopenaeus vannamei low salt-tolerance family.

Litopenaeus vannamei is a widely distributed euryhaline aquatic animal, affected by low salinity, which can impact its disease resistance and immunity. However, there is a limited understanding of the adaptation mechanisms of L. vannamei with different genetic backgrounds to low salinity.

Pharmacokinetics, Mass Balance, and Biotransformation of [C]tinengotinib, A Novel Multi-target Kinase Inhibitor, in Healthy Subjects.

Background And Objective: Tinengotinib, a novel multi-target small molecule kinase inhibitor, is currently undergoing phase II clinical trial in the USA and China. The purpose of this open-label study was to investigate the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of [C]tinengotinib following a single oral dose in healthy subjects.

Methods: Six healthy male subjects received a single oral dose of [C]tinengotinib capsules at 10 mg/100 µCi, and blood, urine, and feces samples were collected.

Pentachlorophenol impairs the antimicrobic capability of blood clam via undermining humoral immunity and disrupting humoral-cellular crosstalk.

Due to past massive usage and persistent nature, pentachlorophenol (PCP) residues are prevalent in environments, posing a potential threat to various organisms such as sessile filter-feeding bivalves. Although humoral immunity and its crosstalk with cellular one are crucial for the maintaining of robust antimicrobic capability, little is known about the impacts of PCP on these critical processes in bivalve mollusks. In this study, pathogenic bacterial challenge and plasma antimicrobic capability assays were carried out to assess the toxic effects of PCP on the immunity of a common bivalve species, blood clam (Tegillarca granosa).