Effect of Stellate Ganglion Block on Preventing Atrial Fibrillation After Esophagectomy: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication after esophagectomy and is associated with adverse outcomes. This study investigated whether preoperative stellate ganglion block (SGB) could reduce the incidence of POAF and improve postoperative recovery.

Methods: In this single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 100 patients undergoing esophagectomy were randomly assigned to receive ultrasound-guided right-sided SGB with 7 mL of either 0.

SOX2 drives esophageal squamous carcinoma by reprogramming lipid metabolism and histone acetylation landscape.

SOX2 is a potent oncodriver for various squamous cancers, but the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. Here we uncover a role of SOX2 in promoting global histone acetylation in esophageal squamous cancer cells (ESCCs). Mechanistic studies reveal that SOX2 promotes global histone acetylation in an AKT-independent manner, and does so by promoting histone acetylation at both SOX2 binding and non-SOX2 binding sites, and accounts for the formation of about half of the super-enhancers.

Effectiveness of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation on Alleviating Postoperative Pain Following Thoracoscopic Lobectomy: A participant- and assessor-blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) in alleviating postoperative pain following thoracoscopic lobectomy.

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 70 adult patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either active or sham taVNS. Stimulation was initiated in the preoperative room, maintained throughout surgery, and discontinued after extubation in the post-anesthesia care unit, at which point the device was removed.

Astrocyte specification in the mouse septum is shaped by both developmental origin and local signals.

Astrocyte specification during development is influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, but the precise contribution of each remains poorly understood. Here we show that mouse septal astrocytes derived from Nkx2.1- and Zic4-expressing progenitor zones are primarily allocated into the medial septal and lateral septal nuclei, respectively.

Prdm16 regulates the postnatal fate of embryonic radial glia via Vcam1-dependent mechanisms.

The mammalian brain undergoes rapid and extensive neurogenesis during the embryonic stage and limited neurogenesis during the adult stage, which results in ineffective repair of neural circuits in adults. Currently, the molecular mechanisms regulating the postnatal termination of neurogenesis and the disappearance of embryonic radial glia, the neural stem cells (NSCs) responsible for neurogenesis, are largely unknown. Here, we show that genetic deletion of PR domain-containing 16 (Prdm16) from NSCs leads to the retention of radial glia in adulthood and prolonged postnatal neuroblast production.

Every cell every gene all at once: Systems genetic approaches toward corticogenesis.

The development of the cerebral cortex is a stepwise process that involves numerous cell types and signaling pathways to achieve the functional assembly of neural circuits. Our understanding of this process is primarily rooted in findings from studying transgenic knockout models, which reveal coordinated molecular actions, particularly transcription factor cascades critical for cell type acquisition and maintenance in a context-dependent manner. Further resolving their cell type specificity necessitates the use of high-throughput, high-content methodologies.

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Polysaccharides from Mulberry Leaves Using Response Surface Methodology: Purification and Component Identification of Extract.

In this study, an ultrasonic-assisted procedure for the extraction of mulberry leaf polysaccharides (MLPs) was investigated using response surface methodology with a 29-run Box-Behnken design. Four factors were investigated, and it was found that the factors influencing the process, in order of significance, were the extraction temperature > liquid-to-material ratio > ultrasonic power. Considering practical conditions, the parameters were adjusted to a liquid-to-material ratio of 16:1 mL/g, extraction time of 58 min, extraction temperature of 65 °C, and ultrasonic power of 500 W.

Functional Neurogenomics to Dissect Disease Mechanisms Across Models.

Tremendous progress has been made in identifying genetic variants associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the extensive (and growing) lists of associated genetic variants have led to a bottleneck in understanding the function of these genetic changes. To overcome this, functional genomics approaches-including high-throughput and high-content screens, in vivo Perturb-seq, and multiomics profiling-are being deployed across cellular and animal models at scale.

Ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block in patients with electrical storm: A single-center case series.

Study Objective: Increasing evidence suggests that stellate ganglion block (SGB) for the treatment of electrical storm (ES) shows encouraging effectiveness. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SGB in patients with ES.

Design: A single-center case series.

AKT1 as a therapeutic target for platinum-resistant SOX2 positive ovarian cancer cells.

Ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynecological malignancy, largely owing to its chemotherapy resistance and high recurrence rate. Emerging evidence has linked the aberrant expression of SOX2, a transcription factor that is important in the development and maintenance of stem cell state, with chemoresistance and poor prognosis of ovarian cancer patients. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms that drive aberrant SOX2 expression in ovarian cancer cells.

BMAL1-HIF2A heterodimer modulates circadian variations of myocardial injury.

Acute myocardial infarction is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Clinical studies have shown that the severity of cardiac injury after myocardial infarction exhibits a circadian pattern, with larger infarcts and poorer outcomes in patients experiencing morning-onset events. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these diurnal variations remain unclear.

Potential causal association between the oral microbiome and bipolar disorder.

Background: The oral microbiome can influence the growth, development, and regulation of the nervous system through various pathways; however, its relationship with bipolar disorder (BD) remains ambiguous. This study aims to investigate the causal relationship between the oral microbiome and BD through Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Methods: Data regarding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GWAS summary statistics for oral microbiota and BD were obtained from two studies: one reported the association between the oral microbiome and the human genome, encompassing both the dorsum of the tongue and saliva microbiomes.

Long-term oyster shell powder applications increase crop yields and control soil acidity and cadmium in red soil drylands.

The intensification of agricultural production has significantly reduced land availability, necessitating continuous cropping cycles that degrade soil quality and inhibit crop growth. While the short-term use of soil amendments has shown significant potential for mitigating these challenges, few studies have explored their long-term effects on acidified soils and heavy metal accumulation. Between 2013 and 2018, a field experiment was conducted in the peanut ()-growing region of Jinxian County, Jiangxi Province, to investigate the long-term effects of oyster shell powder applied to upland red soil.

Enhanced Hydrogen Storage Capacity in OLi-Decorated Holey Graphitic Carbon Nitride Monolayer.

The primary challenge hindering the widespread adoption of hydrogen energy is its storage, highlighting the need for effective storage media. In this study, we utilize first-principles calculations to systematically evaluate the superalkali cluster OLi decorated on a CN monolayer for its potential as an efficient hydrogen storage material. Our findings reveal that the OLi cluster binds to each side of the CN monolayer through a charge transfer mechanism, exhibiting a binding energy of 12.

Optimization of the Homogenization Process of Ginseng Superfine Powder to Improve Its Powder Characteristics and Bioavailability.

As consumer demands evolve for health supplements, traditional ginseng products are facing challenges in enhancing their powder characteristics and bioavailability. The objective of this study was to prepare a novel ginseng superfine powder using a high-pressure homogenization (HPH) process. Response surface methodology was employed to determine the effects of HPH parameters (pressure, number of passes, and concentration) on particle size and the dissolution of the saponin components of the superfine powders.

A spray-induced gene silencing strategy for Spodoptera frugiperda oviposition inhibition using nanomaterial-encapsulated dsEcR.

Although RNAi-based pest management holds great potential as an alternative to traditional chemical control, its efficiency is restricted by dsRNA instability and limited cellular uptake. Using nanomaterials to facilitate dsRNA delivery has shown promise in solving these challenges. In this study, we firstly used RNAi to investigate the role of the juvenile hormone and ecdysteroid signaling pathways genes in reproduction of Spodoptera frugiperda, the fall armyworm.

Efficient ofloxacin degradation via peroxymonosulfate activation using an S-scheme MoS/CoO heterojunction composite under visible light: Performance and mechanistic insights.

Sulfate-radical-mediated photocatalysis technology peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation via visible light irradiation shows great promise for water treatment applications. However, its effectiveness largely depends on the bifunctional performance of photocatalysis and PMS activation provided by the catalysts. In this study, we successfully synthesized a novel S-scheme MoS/CoO (MC) heterojunction composite by a hydrothermal method and employed it for the first time to activate PMS for ofloxacin (OFX) degradation under visible light irradiation.

Associations between sleep disorders and clinical outcomes of patients with primary biliary cholangitis.

Purpose: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease characterized by a range of symptoms, including sleep disturbances. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of sleep disorders and the associations between sleep disorders and clinical outcomes in PBC.

Patients And Methods: We enrolled 177 patients with PBC and 165 healthy controls (age- and sex-matched).

Fufang Muji Granules Ameliorate Liver Fibrosis by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation, Inhibiting Apoptosis, and Modulating Overall Metabolism.

Fufang Muji granules (FMGs) are a prominent modern prescription Chinese patent formulation derived from the Muji decoction. Utilized in clinical practice for nearly four decades, FMGs have demonstrated efficacy in treating liver diseases. However, the precise mechanism of action remains unclear.

Association of gut microbiota with lactose intolerance and coeliac disease: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background And Objectives: Lactose intolerance and coeliac disease are common clinical nutrient malabsorption disorders, with an unclear pathogenesis and limited therapeutic options. It is widely believed that the gut microbiota plays an important role in many digestive disorders, but its role in lactose intolerance and coeliac disease is not yet clear. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between gut microbiota and lactose intolerance and coeliac disease.

Depressive symptom as a risk factor for cirrhosis in patients with primary biliary cholangitis: Analysis based on Lasso-logistic regression and decision tree models.

Background: Depressive symptoms are frequently observed in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). The role of depressive symptoms on cirrhosis has not been fully noticed in PBC. We aimed to establish a risk model for cirrhosis that took depressive symptoms into account.

Soil organic carbon regulation by pH in acidic red soil subjected to long-term liming and straw incorporation.

The manipulation of soil pH through liming and straw incorporation plays a pivotal role in influencing soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics in acidic red soil. This study aimed to assess the impact of these practices on SOC and elucidate the relationship between SOC and pH. Over a 31-year field experiment, seven different fertilization treatments were implemented: unfertilized (CK), nitrogen and potassium fertilizers (NK), NK with lime (NKCa), nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium fertilizers (NPK), NPK with lime (NPKCa), NPK with straw (NPKS), and NPKS with lime (NPKSCa).

Identifying the Shared and Dissociable Neural Bases between Self-Worth and Moral Ambivalence.

Self-ambivalence, a prevalent phenomenon in daily life, has been increasingly substantiated by research. It refers to conflicting self-views and evaluations, primarily concerning self-worth and morality. Previous behavioral research has distinguished self-worth and moral ambivalence, but it remains unclear whether they have separable neural bases.

Mathematical model of ion chronogram from in-tube solid-phase microextraction device coupled with mass spectrometry and optimization framework.

A mathematical description and experimental outputs exhibited that an ion chronogram from an in-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME) device linked with mass spectrometry (in-tube-SPME-MS) generally appears as a right-skew unimodal signal with a heavy right tail. Analogous to liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS), in-tube-SPME-MS can utilize the area under its produced ion chronogram for regression analysis and has been shown to be a potential approach for fast quantification of analyte. Different level of unimodity of signal in the ion chronogram could positively or negatively affect the choice of the area used for quantification and finally impact on analysis sensitivity and time efficiency of in-tube-SPME-MS.