Laparoscopic vs. open portoenterostomy for biliary atresia: a meta-analysis of pediatric surgical outcomes.

Background: The pivotal importance of surgical treatment for pediatric biliary atresia is well-established. This systematic review and meta-analysis was designed to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of open portoenterostomy (OPE) and laparoscopic portoenterostomy (LPE) in managing this condition, providing valuable guidance for clinical decision-making.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted by two researchers in databases such as PubMed, up to July 10, 2024, focusing on studies that evaluated the role of LPE vs.

Hsa_circ_0004194 suppresses colorectal cancer progression via hsa-miR-27a-3p.

Aims: To investigate the functional role and the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with hsa_circ_0004194 in the context of colorectal cancer (CRC) and to elucidate its impact on cancer progression.

Results: A notable and statistically significant decrease in the expression levels of hsa_circ_0004194 was observed specifically within CRC tissues when compared to non-tumor colorectal mucosa tissues. Functional evaluations, such as CCK8 assays, plate clone formation analysis, and transwell migration assays, our study revealed hsa_circ_0004194 significantly reduced the activity behavior of CRC cells.

Polymer Engineering Enables High Linear Capacity Fiber Electrodes by Microenvironment Regulation.

Unlike bulky and rigid traditional power systems, 1D fiber batteries possess appealing features such as flexibility and adaptability, which are promising for use in wearable electronic devices. However, the performance and energy density fiber batteries are limited by the contradiction between ionic transfer and robust structure of fiber electrodes. Herein, these problems are addressed via polymer engineering to regulate the microenvironment in electrodes, realizing high-linear-capacity thick fiber electrodes with excellent cycling performance.

Bioinspired 1T-MoS-based aerogel beads for efficient freshwater harvesting in harsh environments.

Freshwater scarcity is one of the most critical issues worldwide, particularly in arid regions, stemming from population growth and climate change. Inspired by the hydrophilic bump structures of desert beetles, 1T-MoS-based aerogel beads with porous structures and CaClcrystal loading (termed as MoAB-m@CaCl-n) were prepared for freshwater harvesting. Metallic-phase MoS nanospheres exhibit excellent photothermal conversion abilities, facilitating solar-driven water desorption and evaporation.

GSK3β rs3107669 polymorphism implicates chemotherapy-associated retrospective memory deficits in breast cancer survivors.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) plays an important role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the underlying effect of GSK-3β polymorphism on chemobrain in cancer survivors is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between GSK-3β polymorphism and chemotherapy-associated retrospective memory deficits in breast cancer survivors.

Manipulating the light-matter interactions in plasmonic nanocavities at 1 nm spatial resolution.

The light-matter interaction between plasmonic nanocavity and exciton at the sub-diffraction limit is a central research field in nanophotonics. Here, we demonstrated the vertical distribution of the light-matter interactions at ~1 nm spatial resolution by coupling A excitons of MoS and gap-mode plasmonic nanocavities. Moreover, we observed the significant photoluminescence (PL) enhancement factor reaching up to 2800 times, which is attributed to the Purcell effect and large local density of states in gap-mode plasmonic nanocavities.

Parietal-hippocampal rTMS improves cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease and increases dynamic functional connectivity of default mode network.

Parietal-hippocampal repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) improves cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD), however, the underlying therapeutic mechanism has not been elucidated. A double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled parietal-hippocampal rTMS trial (five sessions/week for a total of 10 sessions) of mild-to-moderate AD patients was conducted in the study. High-frequency rTMS was applied to a subject-specific left lateral parietal region with the highest functional connectivity with the hippocampus based on resting-state fMRI.

CircRNA-ACAP2 contributes to the invasion, migration, and anti-apoptosis of neuroblastoma cells through targeting the miRNA-143-3p-hexokinase 2 axis.

Background: Circulating RNAs (Circ-RNAs) are tightly related to the processes of neuroblastoma. The circ-ACAP2 has been reported as dysregulated in various cancers; however, its biological roles and mechanisms in neuroblastoma remain largely unclear.

Methods: We collected 40 neuroblastoma tissues and adjacent noncancerous tissues.

In Situ Raman Probing of Hot-Electron Transfer at Gold-Graphene Interfaces with Atomic Layer Accuracy.

Plasmonic metals under photoexcitation can generate energetic hot electrons to directly induce chemical reactions. However, the capability and fundamental insights of the transportation of these hot electrons at plasmonic metal-2D material interfaces remain unclear. Herein, hot-electron transfer at Au-graphene interfaces has been in situ studied using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with atomic layer accuracy.

Neonatal biliary atresia combined with preduodenal portal vein: A case report.

Background: Congenital biliary atresia is a type of obstruction of the bile ducts inside and outside the liver, which can lead to cholestatic liver cirrhosis and eventually liver failure. The preduodenal portal vein (PD-PV) is a rare developmental malformation of the PV. The PV courses in front of the duodenum.

Structure, Properties and Applications of Two-Dimensional Hexagonal Boron Nitride.

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) has emerged as a strong candidate for two-dimensional (2D) material owing to its exciting optoelectrical properties combined with mechanical robustness, thermal stability, and chemical inertness. Super-thin h-BN layers have gained significant attention from the scientific community for many applications, including nanoelectronics, photonics, biomedical, anti-corrosion, and catalysis, among others. This review provides a systematic elaboration of the structural, electrical, mechanical, optical, and thermal properties of h-BN followed by a comprehensive account of state-of-the-art synthesis strategies for 2D h-BN, including chemical exfoliation, chemical, and physical vapor deposition, and other methods that have been successfully developed in recent years.

Precision Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Over the Left Parietal Cortex Improves Memory in Alzheimer's Disease: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Study.

Objective: We aim to study the effect of precision repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the left parietal cortex on the memory and cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Based on the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, the left parietal cortex site with the highest functional connectivity to the hippocampus was selected as the target of rTMS treatment. Sixty-nine AD patients were randomized to either rTMS or sham treatment (five sessions/week for a total of 10 sessions).

Bladder cancer-associated transcript 2 contributes to nephroblastoma progression.

Background: Nephroblastoma is a common pediatric kidney tumor. Existing evidence has indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may be associated with tumorigenesis such as nephroblastoma. However, the contribution of lncRNA bladder cancer-associated transcript 2 (BLACAT2) to tumorigenesis and the postoperative nephroblastoma prognosis remains unknown.

E2F7, regulated by miR‑30c, inhibits apoptosis and promotes cell cycle of prostate cancer cells.

Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a leading cause of mortality among men in the United States and Western Europe. The molecular mechanism of PCa pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, the expression profile of E2F transcription factor 7 (E2F7) in PCa was examined using immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR, whilst cell cycle progression and apoptosis were determined using fluorescent cell activated sorting techniques.

Laparoscopic resection of ileocaecal duplication in children (report of 15 cases).

Background: Enteric duplication is a congenital anomaly with varied clinical presentation that requires surgical resection for definitive treatment. Ileocaecal (IC) duplications are duplications located at the IC junction, not clearly identified in all the published series. The reported treatment is IC resection and ileocolic anastomosis.

Casticin inhibits nasopharyngeal carcinoma growth by targeting phosphoinositide 3-kinase.

Background: Casticin, an isoflavone compound extracted from the herb Fructus Viticis, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities and properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of casticin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells and to determine its potential for targeted use as a medicine.

Methods: NPC cells were used to perform the experiments.

Controlled growth of MoS via surface-energy alterations.

Monolayer MoS in triangular configurations with rich edges or high-quality uniform films are either catalytically active for the hydrogen evolution reaction or flexible for functional electronic and optoelectronic devices. Here, we have experimentally discovered that these two types of MoS products can be selectively synthesized on graphene or sapphire substrates, which are associated with both different adsorption energy and diffusion-energy barrier for vapor precursors during growth. Our study not only provides insights into the on-surface synthesis of high-quality MoS monolayers, but also can be applied to the growth of vertically-stacked and large-scale in-plane lateral MoS-graphene heterostructures.

miR-203a-3p promotes colorectal cancer proliferation and migration by targeting PDE4D.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major worldwide health problem due to its high prevalence and mortality rate. microRNA has been reported playing an important role in a variety of cancers including colorectal cancer. miR-203a-3p has been found up-regulated in CRC tissues compare with the adjacent normal tissues.

Neonatal giant hepatic hemangioma: A case report.

Rationale: Hepatic hemangioma is the third most common pediatric tumor, and it is rare in the neonatal period. This case study presents a rare case of hepatic hemangioma found in a neonate.

Patient Concerns: A girl who was 18 days of age with the emergence of jaundice and an abdominal mass was admitted for physical examination in the local department.

Critical Annealing Temperature for Stacking Orientation of Bilayer Graphene.

It is rarely reported that stacking orientations of bilayer graphene (BLG) can be manipulated by the annealing process. Most investigators have painstakingly fabricated this BLG by chemical vapor deposition growth or mechanical means. Here, it is discovered that, at ≈600 °C, called the critical annealing temperature (CAT), most stacking orientations collapse into strongly coupled or AB-stacked states.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of microRNAs in cholangiocarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aim: Several dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA); however, small sample sizes and invariable research designs are limitations, hindering a thorough analysis of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic tools for CCA. This study aimed to systematically summarize the clinical value of miRNAs in human CCA both for all available miRNAs and single miRNA with multiple researches.

Methods: Pooled parameters included the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and hazard ratios (HRs) to separately determine overall diagnostic and prognostic performance.

A newborn patient with both annular pancreas and Meckel's diverticulum: A case report of an unusual association.

Rationale: Annular pancreas (AP) is recognized as a cause of duodenal obstruction in children, while children with Meckel's diverticulum (MD) are usually asymptomatic. Here we present a rare case with both AP and MD, which was identified by abdominal exploration during diamond-shaped duodenoduodenostomy.

Patient Concerns: A "double-bubble" sign was found by ultrasound at 35 week of pregnancy.

Continuous-wave and chemical vapor deposition graphene-based passively Q-switched Er:YO ceramic lasers at 2.7 μm.

We report on 976-nm diode-pumped Er:YO ceramic lasers in continuous-wave and passively Q-switched regimes. The maximum output power of continuous-wave laser operation is about 0.78 W with slope efficiency of about 11.

A novel three-dimensional tumorsphere culture system for the efficient and low-cost enrichment of cancer stem cells with natural polymers.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered to serve a key role in tumor progression, recurrence and metastasis. Tumorsphere culture is the most important method for enriching CSCs and is widely used in basic research and drug screening. However, the traditional suspension cell culture system has several disadvantages, including low efficiency, high cost and difficult procedure, making it difficult to produce tumorspheres on a large scale.