Characterization and dosimetric predictors for absolute lymphocyte count changes during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with or without pembrolizumab for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: an analysis of a prospective cohort.

Aim: To characterize the differences of dynamic changes for absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) among esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) with or without pembrolizumab, as well as to investigate the clinical and lymphocyte-related organs dosimetric parameters that would impact ALC nadir during nCRT.

Materials And Methods: A total of 216 ESCC patients who received nCRT (with pembrolizumab 144; without pembrolizumab: 72) were identified from a prospective cohort. Weekly and 1-month post-nCRT ALC were identified.

Quantifying intratumoral heterogeneity within sub-regions to predict high-grade patterns in clinical stage I solid lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: This study aims to quantify intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) using preoperative CT image and evaluate its ability to predict pathological high-grade patterns, specifically micropapillary and/or solid components (MP/S), in patients diagnosed with clinical stage I solid lung adenocarcinoma (LADC).

Methods: In this retrospective study, we enrolled 457 patients who were postoperatively diagnosed with clinical stage I solid LADC from two medical centers, assigning them to either a training set (n = 304) or a test set (n = 153). Sub-regions within the tumor were identified using the K-means method.

Association between the screen time spent watching short videos at bedtime and essential hypertension in young and middle-aged people: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Watching short videos is an integral part of the daily lives of young and middle-aged people. Nevertheless, the correlation between the screen time spent watching short videos at bedtime and essential hypertension in young and middle-aged people remains unclear. We aimed to explore the correlation between the screen time spent watching short videos at bedtime and essential hypertension among young and middle-aged people and construct a nomogram prediction model for assessing the probability of developing essential hypertension for these age groups.

Associations of short-term exposure to air pollution with risk of pulmonary space-occupying lesions morbidity based on a time-series study.

Background: Pulmonary space-occupying lesions are typical chronic pulmonary diseases that contribute significantly to healthcare resource use and impose a large disease burden in China. A time-series ecological trend study was conducted to investigate the associations between environmental factors and hospitalizations for pulmonary space-occupying lesions in North of China from 2014 to 2022.

Methods: The DLNM was used to quantify the association of environmental factors with lung cancer admissions.

Diagnostic role of circulating long non-coding RNA LINC00312 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective study.

Background: LINC00312 has shown to play a suppressive role in the development and progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the expression pattern and diagnostic role of circulating LINC00312 in NSCLC remain to be confused.

Methods: A total of 319 patients diagnosed with NSCLC and 180 healthy volunteers were enrolled from the First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University between January, 2022 and December, 2023.

Identification of a distal enhancer of Ucp1 essential for thermogenesis and mitochondrial function in brown fat.

Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is a crucial protein located in the mitochondrial inner membrane that mediates nonshivering thermogenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms by which enhancer-promoter chromatin interactions control Ucp1 transcriptional regulation in brown adipose tissue (BAT) are unclear. Here, we employed circularized chromosome conformation capture coupled with next-generation sequencing (4C-seq) to generate high-resolution chromatin interaction profiles of Ucp1 in interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT) and epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) and revealed marked changes in Ucp1 chromatin interaction between iBAT and eWAT.

An antagonistic role of clock genes and lima1 in kidney regeneration.

The circadian clock genes are known important for kidney development, maturation and physiological functions. However, whether and how they play a role in renal regeneration remain elusive. Here, by using the single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology, we investigated the dynamic gene expression profiles and cell states after acute kidney injury (AKI) by gentamicin treatment in zebrafish.

Long non-coding RNA CAR10 promotes angiogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma by mediating nuclear LDHA to epigenetically regulate VEGFA/C.

Angiogenesis is a significant character of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and is an important reason leading to high mortality rates of LUAD patients. However, the molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs regulating the angiogenesis in LUAD have not been fully elucidated. Here we show lncRNA chromatin-associated RNA 10 (CAR10) was upregulated in the tumor tissue of patients with LUAD and enhanced tumor metastasis.

Development of a novel multi-epitope subunit mRNA vaccine candidate to combat Acinetobacter baumannii.

Acinetobacter baumannii, an opportunistic bacterium prevalent in various environment, is a significant cause of nosocomial infections in ICUs. As the causative agent of pneumonia, septicemia, and meningitis, A. baumannii typically exhibits multidrug resistance and is associated with poor prognosis, thus led to a challenge for researchers in developing new treatment and prevention methods.

The tolerance balancing optimization with multiple constraints on the form and function of the discrete functional surface.

The working performance of the discrete functional surface is affected by the surface form. Both the surface form and the geometric function should be considered in tolerance design. However, the tolerance of different parts has different influence on the geometric function and surface form.

Development of deep-underground engineering structures via 2D and 3D RQD prediction using non-invasive CSAMT.

The stability criterion based on the characterization of rock masses can be used to advance deep underground engineering projects. A key geomechanical criterion in geotechnical engineering is rock quality designation (RQD), which assesses risk for engineering design success criteria. Time, cost, and credibility constraints make it difficult to accurately estimate RQD.

Charge-transfer complexation of coordination cages for enhanced photochromism and photocatalysis.

Intensified host-guest electronic interplay within stable metal-organic cages (MOCs) presents great opportunities for applications in stimuli response and photocatalysis. Zr-MOCs represent a type of robust discrete hosts for such a design, but their host-guest chemistry in solution is hampered by the limited solubility. Here, by using pyridinium-derived cationic ligands with tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate (BAr) as solubilizing counteranions, we report the preparation of soluble Zr-MOCs of different shapes (1-4) that are otherwise inaccessible through a conventional method.

DCAF13-mediated K63-linked ubiquitination of RNA polymerase I promotes uncontrolled proliferation in Breast Cancer.

Hyperactivation of ribosome biogenesis (RiBi) drives cancer progression, yet the role of RiBi-associated proteins (RiBPs) in breast cancer (BC) is underexplored. In this study, we perform a comprehensive multi-omics analysis and reveal that assembly and maturation factors (AMFs), a subclass of RiBPs, are upregulated at both RNA and protein levels in BC, correlating with poor patient outcomes. In contrast, ribosomal proteins (RPs) do not show systematic upregulation across various cancers, including BC.

Enhancing immunotherapy efficacy in colorectal cancer: targeting the FGR-AKT-SP1-DKK1 axis with DCC-2036 (Rebastinib).

This research demonstrates that DCC-2036 (Rebastinib), a potent third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), effectively suppresses tumor growth in colorectal cancer (CRC) models with functional immune systems. The findings underscore the capacity of DCC-2036 to enhance both the activation and cytotoxic functionality of CD8 T cells, which are crucial for facilitating anti-tumor immune responses. Through comprehensive multi-omics investigations, significant shifts in both gene and protein expression profiles were detected, notably a marked decrease in DKK1 levels.

Inequitable distribution of risks associated with occupational heat exposure driven by trade.

The exposure to extreme heat at workplaces poses substantial threat to human effort and manual labour. This becomes more prominent due to the global dispersion of labour-intensive production activities via trade. We combine a climate model with an input-output model to quantify the risks associated with trade-related occupational extreme heat exposure.

Coexpression of D-Allulose 3-Epimerase and L-Rhamnose Isomerase in through a Dual Promoter Enables High-Level Biosynthesis of D-Allose from D-Fructose in One Pot.

D-Allose, a rare sugar, has gained significant attention not only as a low-calorie sweetener but also for its anticancer, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other pharmaceutical properties. Despite its potential, achieving high-level biosynthesis of D-allose remains challenging due to inefficient biocatalysts, low conversion rates, and the high cost of substrates. Here, we explored the food-grade coexpression of D-allulose 3-epimerase (Bp-DAE) and L-rhamnose isomerase (BsL-RI) within a single cell using WB800N as the host.

Intramolecular distance-regulated G4 DNA enzymatic activity-based chromophotometric system for visual monitoring of diquat.

Background: As global food production continues to surge, the widespread use of herbicides has also increased concurrently, posing challenges like health risks and environmental pollution. Traditional detection methods for pesticide residues, such as diquat (DQ), were hampered by limitations like high expenses, lengthy detection times and complex operations, restricting their practical application in rapid clinical diagnosis.

Results: In light of the pressing necessity for the identification of minute pesticide residues and the intrinsic constraints of small molecule analysis, a novel chromophotometric biosensor targeting small molecules was developed based on bi-epitopes on single antibody to immobilize two DQ-PAL, inhibiting the hybridization of DQ-PAL.

Active site-inspired multicopper laccase-like nanozymes for detection of phenolic and catecholamine compounds.

Phenolic compounds are typical organic pollutants which cause severe human health problems due to their teratogenesis, carcinogenesis, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity and endocrine disruption. Natural laccase is a multicopper oxidase existing in bacteria, plants, and insects, which can accelerate the transformation of phenolic compounds to their less hazardous oxidized products under mild conditions without harmful byproducts. Despite eco-environmentally friendly property of laccase, it still faces constraints of widespread application attribute to its high cost, complex preparation, and vulnerability.

On-site visual quantification of alkaline phosphatase activity in cells using a smartphone-based approach.

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a critical biomarker associated with various physiological and pathological processes, making its detection essential for disease diagnosis and biomedical research. In this study, we developed a novel, simple, and portable visual quantification method for ALP activity in cells using an efficient CuZnS nanomaterial with peroxidase-like properties, integrated into a smartphone-based platform for enhanced usability. The CuZnS nanomaterial catalyzes the breakdown of H₂O₂, generating ·OH radicals that oxidize the colorless substrate TMB into blue oxTMB, which is subsequently reduced back to TMB by ascorbic acid (AA).

Three-dimensional CeO Nanosheets/CuO nanoflowers p-n heterostructure supported on carbon cloth as electrochemical sensor for sensitive nitrite detection.

Nitrite is widely used as a food additive, and it is of great significance to realize accurate detection of nitrite for food safety. Electrochemical technique is characterized by simple operation and portability, which enables rapid and accurate detection. The key factors affecting the nitrite detection performance are the electrocatalytic activity and interfacial electron transfer efficiency of the electrode.

Facet engineering of CuO for efficient electrochemical glucose sensing.

Background: Accurate monitoring glucose level is significant for human health management, especially in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of diabetes. Electrochemical quantification of glucose is a convenient and rapid detection method, and the crucial aspect in achieving great sensing performance lies in the selection and design of the electrode material. Among them, CuO, with highly catalysis ability, is commonly used as electrocatalyst in non-enzymatic glucose sensing.

Magnetic relaxation switch biosensor for detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus based on photocleavable hydrogel.

Background: Foodborne pathogens, particularly Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VP) found in seafood, pose significant health risks, including abdominal pain, nausea, and even death. Rapid, accurate, and sensitive detection of these pathogens is crucial for food safety and public health. However, existing detection methods often require complex sample pretreatment, which limits their practical application.

DNAzyme assisted single amplification for FEN1 activity detection using a personal glucose meter.

Flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1) plays a vital role in cancer by modulating DNA repair mechanisms, inducing genomic instability, and serving as a promising biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. In this work, we present the development of a novel DNAzyme signal amplification-directed point-of-care sensing system (Dz-PGM) for the sensitive and specific detection of FEN1. The Dz-PGM system utilizes DNAzyme signal amplification in conjunction with a personal glucose meter (PGM) for reporting, capitalizing on a biochemical cascade initiated by FEN1 recognition.

Capillary electrophoresis separations with Betaine:Urea, a deep eutectic solvent as the separation medium.

Background: Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a highly versatile separation technique widely used in analytical chemistry. Traditionally, CE can be categorized as either aqueous or non-aqueous systems based on the buffer solvents employed. For decades, non-aqueous CE has been predominantly associated with the use of organic solvents, a perception deeply ingrained in the scientific community.

The current status and future prospects of CRISPR-based detection of monkeypox virus: A review.

Background: The current pandemic of 2022 global mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), caused by infection with monkeypox virus (MPXV), has now reached over 120 countries. This constitutes a critical public health issue requiring effective disease management and surveillance. Rapid and reliable diagnosis is conducive to the control of infection, early intervention, and timely treatment.