Antagonism of CD28 blocks allergic responses in the ovalbumin-induced asthmatic model mice.

Allergen-reactive T helper (Th) 2 cells play a pivotal role in initiating asthma pathogenesis. The absence or interruption of CD28 signaling causes significant consequences for T-cell activation, leading to reduced cell proliferation and interleukin (IL)-2 production. A novel compound, Cyn-1324, exhibits a higher binding affinity to CD28 than CD80.

Outcomes of upfront primary tumor resection in patients with synchronous wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer.

This multicenter study explored the survival benefits of upfront primary tumor resection (PTR) followed by first-line cetuximab plus chemotherapy in real-world patients with wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Treatment options for mCRC include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and surgery. The efficacy of upfront PTR in managing mCRC remains unclear.

Augmented triboelectric properties of graphene-filled poly(vinylidene difluoride--hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanofibers.

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are devices that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy through the triboelectric effect, supplying power to a wide array of advanced sensing and monitoring systems. In this work, we utilized graphene-filled nanofibrous poly(vinylidene difluoride--hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) as TENGs, employing electrospinning technology. We examined how the dielectric characteristics and transferred charge of the electrification mat affect the output of TENGs.

Efficacy of first-line combination therapies versus gemcitabine monotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Various first-line gemcitabine-based or fluorouracil-based combination regimens were approved in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Recent randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have investigated chemotherapy backbones in combination with novel investigational drugs, including chemotherapy agents or targeted drugs. However, the comparative efficacy of these different combination therapies remains limited.

Globo H ceramide is an independent prognostic marker for gallbladder cancer.

In recent studies, there has been growing interest in developing cancer therapeutics targeting Globo H ceramide, which is considered as the most prevalent tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen in epithelial cancers. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the expression of Globo H and investigate its prognostic significance in gallbladder cancer (GBC). The tumor specimens and clinical characteristics of GBC patients were collected from the tumor bank and database of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.

Cancer Therapy-Related Cardiac Dysfunction in Patients With Prostate Cancer Undergoing Androgen Deprivation Therapy.

Background The risk of cardiac dysfunction for patients with prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in the real-world setting remains unclear. Methods and Results A total of 1120 patients with prostate cancer and a baseline echocardiography scan were identified from Chang Gung Research Database between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2019. Patients were treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy, gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist therapy, or bilateral orchiectomy.

The effect of lung recruitment maneuverer in COVID-19 induced acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a highly spread infectious disease around the world. This infectious disease impacts whole body systems, specifically on respiratory system. This 57-year-old women had diagnosed COVID-19 positive and progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) within 1 week.

Persistence of lower vocal intensity in vocal fold paralysis with cricothyroid impairment after hyaluronate injection.

Background: Unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) affects the glottal gap, voice, and aerodynamics, whereas injection laryngoplasty (IL) using hyaluronate is an effective treatment for UVFP by decreasing the glottal gap to improve voice. Previous studies have shown that the involvement of cricothyroid (CT) muscle in UVFP patients further affects patients' aerodynamics, but it remains unclear whether the difference remains after IL. This study investigates whether the aerodynamic features observed in UVFP with CT involvement could still be observed after IL.

Complete response at first transarterial chemoembolization predicts favorable outcome in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the mainstay of treatment for patients with intermediate/advanced stage or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite the palliative nature of TACE treatment, embolizing the tumor feeding vessels and leading to progressive tumor necrosis, complete response (CR) after TACE could still be observed in a certain population. Thus, this study aimed to investigate both the predictors for CR and the long-term prognosis of the patients with CR after TACE.

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in cellular physiology and tumor biology.

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) has emerged as a mechanism that has been used to explain the formation of known organelles (e.g. nucleoli, promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies (PML NBs), etc) as well as other membraneless condensates (e.

Induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by hypoxia-induced lncRNA through regulating the histone 4 lysine 16 acetylation (H4K16Ac) mark.

Hypoxia activates various long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) to induce the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor metastasis. The hypoxia/HIF-1α-regulated lncRNAs that also regulate a specific histone mark and promote EMT and metastasis have not been identified. We performed RNA-sequencing dataset analysis to search for such lncRNAs and lncRNA was the hypoxia-induced lncRNA with the highest hazard ratio.

A panel of biomarkers in the prediction for early allograft dysfunction and mortality after living donor liver transplantation.

Early allograft dysfunction (EAD) is associated with graft failure and mortality after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). In this study, we report biomarkers superior to other conventional clinical markers in the prediction of EAD and all-cause in-hospital mortality in LDLT patient cohort. Blood samples of living donor liver transplant recipients were collected on postoperative day 1 and analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

How will the Chinese Certified Emission Reduction scheme save cost for the national carbon trading system?

As an important supplementary mechanism to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), the Chinese Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) scheme is of profound significance for achieving low-cost emission reduction and renewable energy goal. However, limited literature discusses the role of the CCER scheme. To explore to what extent will the CCER scheme save cost for China's carbon trading system, this paper establishes a two-level decision sub-game led by the national government and compares the cost-saving effect before and after introducing the CCER scheme.

A Simple and Highly Specific MassARRAY-Based Stool DNA Assay to Prioritize Follow-up Decisions in Fecal Immunochemical Test-Positive Individuals.

Background: Seventy-five percent of fecal immunochemical test (FIT)-positive individuals are false positives and undergo unnecessary colonoscopies. Here, we established a stool DNA (sDNA) test that uses the Single Allele Base Extension Reaction (SABER) MassARRAY platform to improve the accuracy of FIT-based CRC detection.

Methods: Twenty-one variants in five CRC-associated genes were selected for the sDNA panel.

Allocation of carbon dioxide emission quotas based on the energy-economy-environment perspective: Evidence from Guangdong Province.

As one of the most important environmental control mechanisms in China, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is set to alleviate the contradictions among the energy-economy-environment (3E) system and achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs), while any such scheme requires an initial allocation of carbon dioxide emission quotas. However, the current allocation method dominated by the grandfathering approach does not reflect this original intention well. Integrating the 3E goals with the quota allocation issue, this paper established a dual-objective programming model that considered both the economic and energy goals, while the environmental goal was reflected in constraints.

Exploring the Spectrum of Subcortical Hyperintensities and Cognitive Decline.

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) include periventricular WMH (pvWMH) and deep WMH. When hyperintensities in the basal ganglia or brainstem are included, the collective term is subcortical hyperintensities. Both WMH and medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) are risk factors for cognitive decline.

NRAS germline variant G138R and multiple rare somatic mutations on APC in colorectal cancer patients in Taiwan by next generation sequencing.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) arises from mutations in a subset of genes. We investigated the germline and somatic mutation spectrum of patients with CRC in Taiwan by using the AmpliSeq Cancer Hotspot Panel V2. Fifty paired freshly frozen stage 0-IV CRC tumors and adjacent normal tissue were collected.

A novel microtubule inhibitor, MT3-037, causes cancer cell apoptosis by inducing mitotic arrest and interfering with microtubule dynamics.

We investigated the anticancer potential of a new synthetic compound, 7-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-methylpyrido-[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5(8H)-one (MT3-037). We found that MT3-037 effectively decreased the cancer cell viability by inducing apoptosis. MT3-037 treatments led to cell cycle arrest at M phase, with a marked increase in both expression of cyclin B1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) as well as in CDK1 kinase activity.

Corrigendum: In utero therapy for congenital disorders using amniotic fluid stem cells.

[This corrects the article on p. 270 in vol. 5, PMID: 25566071.