State-of-the-Art Liver Cancer Organoids: Modeling Cancer Stem Cell Heterogeneity for Personalized Treatment.

Liver cancer poses a global health challenge with limited therapeutic options. Notably, the limited success of current therapies in patients with primary liver cancers (PLCs) may be attributed to the high heterogeneity of both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCCs) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCAs). This heterogeneity evolves over time as tumor-initiating stem cells, or cancer stem cells (CSCs), undergo (epi)genetic alterations or encounter microenvironmental changes within the tumor microenvironment.

Substrate stiffness dictates unique doxorubicin-induced senescence-associated secretory phenotypes and transcriptomic signatures in human pulmonary fibroblasts.

Cells are subjected to dynamic mechanical environments which impart forces and induce cellular responses. In age-related conditions like pulmonary fibrosis, there is both an increase in tissue stiffness and an accumulation of senescent cells. While senescent cells produce a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), the impact of physical stimuli on both cellular senescence and the SASP is not well understood.

∆-Tetrahydrocannabinol Increases Growth Factor Release by Cultured Adipose Stem Cells and Adipose Tissue in vivo.

Background: Because of its biocompatibility and its soft and dynamic nature, the grafting of adipose tissue is regarded an ideal technique for soft-tissue repair. The adipose stem cells (ASCs) contribute significantly to the regenerative potential of adipose tissue, because they can differentiate into adipocytes and release growth factors for tissue repair and neovascularization to facilitate tissue survival. The present study tested the effect of administering a chronic low dose of ∆-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on these regenerative properties, in vitro and in vivo.

The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on the Development of Adolescent Risk-Taking: The Mediating Effect of Self-Control and Moderating Effect of Genetic Variations.

Risk-taking is a concerning yet prevalent issue during adolescence and can be life-threatening. Examining its etiological sources and evolving pathways helps inform strategies to mitigate adolescents' risk-taking behavior. Studies have found that unfavorable environmental factors, such as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), are associated with momentary levels of risk-taking in adolescents, but little is known about whether ACEs shape the developmental trajectory of risk-taking.

Unraveling the controversy: exploring the link between sex hormones and skin cancers through a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Skin cancers continue to present unresolved challenges, particularly regarding the association with sex hormones, which remains a topic of controversy. A systematic review is currently warranted to address these issues. To analyze if sex hormones result in a higher incidence of skin cancers (cutaneous melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma).

The secretion of TGF-β3 by adipose-derived stem cells inhibits melanin synthesis and its impact on the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway.

This study aimed to investigate the role of transforming growth factor-beta 3 (TGF-β3) secreted by adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in suppressing melanin synthesis during the wound healing process, particularly in burn injuries, and to explore the underlying mechanisms involving the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. ADSCs were isolated from C57BL/6 mice and characterized using flow cytometry and differentiation assays. A burn injury model was established in mice, followed by UVB irradiation to induce hyperpigmentation.

Neuronal Plasma Membranes as Supramolecular Assemblies for Biological Memory.

Biological memory is the ability to develop, retain, and retrieve information over time. Currently, it is widely accepted that memories are stored in synapses (i.e.

[Risk factors for plastic bronchitis in children with macrolide-unresponsive pneumonia and establishment of a nomogram model].

Objectives: To investigate the risk factors for plastic bronchitis (PB) in children with macrolide-unresponsive pneumonia (MUMPP) and to establish a nomogram prediction model.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 178 children with MUMPP who underwent bronchoscopy from January to December 2023. According to the presence or absence of PB, the children were divided into a PB group (49 children) and a non-PB group (129 children).

Muscle Loss During First-Line Chemotherapy Impairs Survival in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Despite Adapted Physical Activity.

Background: Advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (aPDAC) is often accompanied by significant muscle mass loss, contributing to poor prognosis. SarcAPACaP, an ancillary study of the GERCOR-APACaP phase III trial, evaluated the role of adapted physical activity (APA) in aPDAC Western patients receiving first-line chemotherapy. The study aimed to assess (1) the potential impact of computed tomography (CT)-quantified muscle mass before and during treatments on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and overall survival (OS) and (2) the role of APA in mitigating muscle mass loss.

Influence of the Type of Bulk-Fill, Resin-Based Composite on Internal Adaptation in Class V Restorations.

Objective: To investigate the effects of bulk-fill, resin-based composite types (high or low viscosity) on the internal adaptation of Class V restorations.

Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of the Study: Hefei Stomatological Hospital, Hefei, China, from October 2022 to December 2023.

Meta-analyses of mouse and human prostate single-cell transcriptomes reveal widespread epithelial plasticity in tissue regression, regeneration, and cancer.

Background: Despite extensive analysis, the dynamic changes in prostate epithelial cell states during tissue homeostasis as well as tumor initiation and progression have been poorly characterized. However, recent advances in single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology have greatly facilitated studies of cell states and plasticity in tissue maintenance and cancer, including in the prostate.

Methods: We have performed meta-analyses of new and previously published scRNA-seq datasets for mouse and human prostate tissues to identify and compare cell populations across datasets in a uniform manner.

Comparing different timings of tourniquet application in total knee arthroplasty: effects on postoperative pain and bone cement interface.

Objective: This study aims to elucidate the impact of varying tourniquet application timings on postoperative pain and the bone cement interface following TKA.

Method: Patients who underwent TKA in our department between March 2021 and July 2023 were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to three groups: Group 1 used tourniquets throughout the operation, Group 2 applied tourniquets before the osteotomy, and Group 3 applied tourniquets after completing the osteotomy.

Anatomical investigation of safety determining factors for keyhole drilling trajectories for robotic cochlear implant surgery.

Purpose: Cochlear implants (CI) are the most successful bioprosthesis in medicine probably due to the tonotopic anatomy of the auditory pathway and of course the brain plasticity. Correct placement of the CI arrays, respecting the inner ear anatomy are therefore important. The ideal trajectory to insert a cochlear implant array is defined by an entrance through the round window membrane and continues as long as possible parallel to the basal turn of the cochlea.

Paranasal sinus mucoceles and its distortion of craniofacial-orbital anatomy: a narrative synthesis.

Purpose: To explore available literature on PNS mucoceles and its distortions of craniofacial-orbital anatomy with regard to orbital bony defects and ophthalmic manifestations, highlighting the PNS mucoceles that mostly result in these distortions.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in June 2024 for available literature on the subject matter viz.; Google Scholar, PubMed and Medline, and Cochrane Library.

An In Vitro Study of the Effects of Methotrexate Loaded Biocomposite Beads on MG63 Osteoblast Cells.

This study aims to synthesize a new localized drug delivery system of bioglass, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), cellulose (CNC), and sodium alginate (SA) beads as a carrier for methotrexate (MTX) drugs for the treatment of osteosarcoma. Methotrexate /Bioglass-loaded Polyvinyl/Cellulose/Sodium alginate biocomposite beads were prepared via the dropwise method with different concentrations of (65%SiO-30%CaO- 5%PO) bioglass. Samples were named B0, S0, S1, S2, and S3, respectively.

The impact and transformation evaluation of art intervention in public space on ancient villages: a case study of Tengchong, Yunnan Province.

As the need for balancing cultural heritage preservation with economic development becomes increasingly urgent, the sustainable development of ancient villages has emerged as a critical issue. This study focuses on the ancient villages of Tengchong, Yunnan, to examine the profound impact of art intervention in public spaces on their development. Through literature review, QGIS analysis, questionnaire surveys, and hierarchical analysis, the study reveals that art intervention plays a pivotal role in enhancing the environmental appearance (0.

Neurobehavioral plasticity in the rodent gustatory system induced by regular consumption of a low-calorie sweetener during adolescence.

Habitual consumption of low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) during juvenile-adolescence can lead to greater sugar intake later in life. Here, we investigated if exposure to the LCS Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K) during this critical period of development reprograms the taste system in a way that would alter hedonic responding for common dietary compounds. Results revealed that early-life LCS intake not only enhanced the avidity for a caloric sugar (fructose) when rats were in a state of caloric need, it increased acceptance of a bitterant (quinine) in Ace-K-exposed rats tested when middle-aged.

The widely used Ucp1-Cre transgene elicits complex developmental and metabolic phenotypes.

Bacterial artificial chromosome transgenic models, including most Cre-recombinases, enable potent interrogation of gene function in vivo but require rigorous validation as limitations emerge. Due to its high relevance to metabolic studies, we perform comprehensive analysis of the Ucp1-Cre line which is widely used for brown fat research. Hemizygotes exhibit major brown and white fat transcriptomic dysregulation, indicating potential altered tissue function.

Emergence of Neuroendocrine Tumors in Patients Treated with Androgen Receptor Pathway Inhibitors for Metastatic Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background And Objective: It has been shown that androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPIs) treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) improves overall survival rates, but ARPIs appear to be associated with a higher frequency of treatment-related neuroendocrine prostate cancer (t-NEPC). Our aim was to quantify the proportion of prostate adenocarcinoma cases that transition to t-NEPC following ARPI therapy.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of the literature on t-NEPC using databases including MEDLINE and Scopus.

Neocortical somatostatin neuron diversity in cognition and learning.

Somatostatin-expressing (SST) neurons are a major class of electrophysiologically and morphologically distinct inhibitory cells in the mammalian neocortex. Transcriptomic data suggest that this class can be divided into multiple subtypes that are correlated with morpho-electric properties. At the same time, availability of transgenic tools to identify and record from SST neurons in awake, behaving mice has stimulated insights about their response properties and computational function.

Irradiated Homologous Costal Cartilage Grafts in Complex Functional Septorhinoplasty.

Optimal results in complex nasal reconstruction, particularly in the context of post-traumatic and revision septorhinoplasty, often require the use of cartilage grafts to provide additional structural support to the nose. While autologous costal cartilage (ACC) has been traditionally used, this can be limited by donor site morbidity, increased operative time, and in some cases, lack of suitable cartilage for grafting. There has been a trend towards using irradiated homologous costal cartilage (IHCC) as an alternative source of graft material.

Microplastic Migration and Transformation Pathways and Exposure Health Risks.

Plastics play a crucial role in modern life, but improper use and disposal have resulted in microplastics becoming widespread in the environment, raising significant concerns about both the environment and human health. Extensive research has explored the transformation mechanisms, bioaccumulation, ecological impacts, and health risks associated with microplastics. The present review first analyzes the migration, transformation, and degradation pathways of microplastics on a global scale, and then synthesizes current knowledge on the types, sources, and migration pathways of microplastics in soil, atmosphere, and aquatic environments, emphasizing transformation mechanisms like photo-aging and microbial degradation, and detailing their ecological and human health impacts.