A toe-inspired rigid-flexible coupling wheel design method for improving the terrain adaptability of a sewer robot.

The human toe, characterized by its rigid-flexible structure comprising hard bones and flexible joints, facilitates adaptive and stable movement across varied terrains. In this paper, we utilized a motion capture system to study the adaptive adjustments of toe joints when encountering obstacles. Inspired by the mechanics of toe joints, we proposed a novel design method for a rigid-flexible coupled wheel.

TOX3 deficiency mitigates hyperglycemia by suppressing hepatic gluconeogenesis through FoxO1.

Background: Excessive hepatic glucose production is a hallmark that contributes to hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes (T2D). The regulatory network governing this process remains incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate that TOX3, a high-mobility group family member, acts as a major transcriptional driver for hepatic glucose production.

Higher temperature variability in deforested mountain regions impacts the competitive advantage of nocturnal species.

Deforestation is a major contributor to biodiversity loss, yet the impact of forest loss on daily microclimate variability and its implications for species with different daily activity patterns remain poorly understood. Using a recently developed microclimate model, we investigated the effects of deforestation on the daily temperature range (DTR) in low-elevation tropical regions and high-elevation temperate regions. Our results show that deforestation substantially increases DTR in these areas, suggesting a potential impact on species interactions.

THADA inhibition in mice protects against type 2 diabetes mellitus by improving pancreatic β-cell function and preserving β-cell mass.

Impaired insulin secretion is a hallmark in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). THADA has been identified as a candidate gene for T2DM, but its role in glucose homeostasis remains elusive. Here we report that THADA is strongly activated in human and mouse islets of T2DM.

Metabolic Rewiring of Kynurenine Pathway during Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Exacerbates Liver Damage by Impairing NAD Homeostasis.

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury remains a common issue lacking effective strategy and validated pharmacological targets. Here, using an unbiased metabolomics screen, this study finds that following murine hepatic IR, liver 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA) and quinolinic acid (QA) decline while kynurenine and kynurenic acid (KYNA) increase. Kynurenine aminotransferases 2, functioning at the key branching point of the kynurenine pathway (KP), is markedly upregulated in hepatocytes during ischemia, shifting the kynurenine metabolic route from 3-HAA and QA to KYNA synthesis.

The value of gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced biliary imaging from the hepatobiliary phase for predicting post-hepatectomy liver failure in HCC patients.

Objectives: To determine the value of gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced biliary imaging from the hepatobiliary phase for predicting post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Patients with HCC who underwent gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced hepatobiliary magnetic resonance imaging prior to hepatectomy were collected in two centers. The relative enhancement ratio of the biliary system (REB) and the liver to muscle ratio (LMR) were measured at the hepatobiliary phase.

Laparoscopic Open Surgery for Early-Stage Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma After Mastering the Learning Curve: A Multicenter Data-Based Matched Study.

Background: Surgical resection is the only widely accepted curative method for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). However, little is known about the efficacy of laparoscopic liver resection for ICC, especially in patients with early-stage disease. The aim of this study was to compare the short-term and long-term effects of laparoscopy and open surgery for the treatment of ICC.

Specific genomic alterations and prognostic analysis of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma and distal cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), which consists of intrahepatic CCA (iCCA), perihilar CCA (pCCA), and distal CCA (dCCA), is an aggressive malignancy worldwide. PCCA and dCCA are often classified as extrahepatic CCA (exCCA). However, the differences in mutational characteristics between pCCA and dCCA remain unclear.

Value of AFP and PIVKA-II in diagnosis of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma and prediction of vascular invasion and tumor differentiation.

Background: To explore the value of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) in diagnosis of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their relationship with vascular invasion, tumor differentiation and size.

Methods: A total of 433 participants were enrolled in this study including 266 cases with HBV-related HCC, 87 cases with HBV DNA positive benign liver disease and 80 healthy individuals. Then we explored the correlation between AFP, PIVKA-II serum level and several pathological features such as vascular invasion, tumor differentiation and size.

Role of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2T in the carcinogenesis and progression of pancreatic cancer.

Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2T (UBE2T) is a recently discovered oncogenic protein. Numerous studies reported that UBE2T is highly expressed in various types of human cancer; however, its role in the carcinogenesis and progression of pancreatic cancer remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of UBE2T in pancreatic cancer progression through experiments in pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines.

Long noncoding RNA linc00467 plays an oncogenic role in hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating the miR-18a-5p/NEDD9 axis.

Increasing evidence has shown that numerous long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in tumorigenesis. Herein, we investigated the biological role of lncRNA linc00467 in the cancer biology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We observed that linc00467 was upregulated in HCC tissues and cells.

Long noncoding RNA CASC21 exerts an oncogenic role in colorectal cancer through regulating miR-7-5p/YAP1 axis.

Background: Emerging evidences show that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are widely involved in various cell processes and tumor progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of new lncRNA homo sapiens cancer susceptibility 21 (CASC21) in the cancer biology of colorectal cancer and explore the underlying mechanism.

Methods: We silenced the expression of CASC21 using siRNA interference in colorectal cancer cell lines HT29 and SW480, and the effects of CASC21 knockdown on cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis were assessed using CCK8, colony formation, wound-healing, Transwell and flow cytometry assays.

Modulation of IGF2BP1 by long non-coding RNA HCG11 suppresses apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via MAPK signaling transduction.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy of the liver. HCG11 is a member of long non‑coding family, upregulation of which in HCC was proved by our previous study. In the present study, the role of HCG11 in the development of HCC was detected by focusing on the interaction between HCG11 and its target protein insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1).

A novel AKT inhibitor, AZD5363, inhibits phosphorylation of AKT downstream molecules, and activates phosphorylation of mTOR and SMG-1 dependent on the liver cancer cell type.

Due to frequent phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway dysregulation, AKT is typically accepted as a promising anticancer therapeutic target. mTOR, in particular, represents a suitable therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma, whilst suppressor with morphogenetic effect on genitalia family member-1 (SMG-1) is believed to serve a potential tumor suppressor role in human cancer. Despite SMG-1 and mTOR belonging to the same PI3K-related kinase family, the interactions between them are not yet fully understood.