Comparative Analysis of Directional Snare vs Cutting Seton for High Anal Fistula Treatment.

BACKGROUND The cutting seton (CS) method uses a suture knot placed in the track of an anal fistula around the anal sphincter, which is tied using tension. This study aimed to compare outcomes in 60 patients with high anal fistula treated with a disposable directional snare or CS method. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty patients with high anal fistula were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups, with 30 patients in each group.

PINK1 deficiency alleviates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive lung disorder marked by deteriorating dyspnea and declining pulmonary function. Despite its rising prevalence and incidence, therapeutic options remain limited. PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1), known for its role in PINK1/Parkin-dependent mitophagy, contributes to the pathogenesis of various lung diseases.

Ribosome profiling and single-cell RNA sequencing identify the unfolded protein response as a key regulator of pigeon lactation.

Pigeons and certain other avian species produce a milk-like secretion in their crop sacs to nourish offspring, yet the detailed processes involved are not fully elucidated. This study investigated the crop sacs of 225-day-old unpaired non-lactating male pigeons (MN) and males initiating lactation on the first day after incubation (ML). Using RNA sequencing, ribosome profiling, and single-cell transcriptome sequencing (scRNA-seq), we identified a significant up-regulation of genes associated with ribosome assembly and protein synthesis in ML compared to MN.

Efficacy and safety of targeted therapy plus immunotherapy combined with hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (FOLFOX) for unresectable hepatocarcinoma.

Background: The advent of cutting-edge systemic therapies has driven advances in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and therapeutic strategies with multiple modes of delivery have been shown to be more efficacious than monotherapy. However, the mechanisms underlying this innovative treatment modality have not been elucidated.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of targeted therapy plus immunotherapy combined with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) of FOLFOX in patients with unresectable HCC.

Characteristic chromanone acids from Calophyllum membranaceum: Determination of C-3 configuration and anti-inflammatory activity.

One undescribed homologous furanochromanone (1) featuring a 6/6/5/3 tetracyclic skeleton and four highly oxidized pyranochromanones (2-5), along with a set of four pyranochromanone stereoisomers [(±)-6a and (±)-6b], were isolated from the leaves of Calophyllum membranaceum Gardn. Et Champ. Their structures were elucidated by using spectroscopic data, Snatzke's method, quantum-chemical calculations, and X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Free-Space and Fiber-Integrated Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution under High Background Noise.

Measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI QKD) provides immunity against all attacks targeting measurement devices. It is essential to implement MDI QKD in the future global-scale quantum communication network. Toward this goal, we demonstrate a robust MDI QKD fully covering daytime, overcoming the high background noise that prevents BB84 protocol even when using a perfect single-photon source.

Design of a binary metal micron grating and its application in near-infrared hot-electron photodetectors.

Metal plasmonic nano-gratings possess a high absorption ability and exhibit potential applications in sensing, hot-electron photodetection, metasurfaces, etc. However, the fabrication techniques of high-quality nano-gratings are challenging. In this article, a binary metal micron grating for near-infrared hot-electron photodetectors (HEPDs) is designed in which the surface plasmons are excited by high-diffraction-order modes.

Excitation of out-of-plane lattice plasmons in dislocated nanostructures through near-field coupling.

Out-of-plane lattice plasmons (OLPs) show great potential in realizing high-quality factors due to the strong interparticle coupling. However, the strict conditions of oblique incidence bring challenges to experimental observation. This Letter proposes a new, to the best of our knowledge, mechanism to generate OLPs: through near-field coupling.

Robust twin-field quantum key distribution through sending or not sending.

The sending-or-not-sending (SNS) protocol is one of the most major variants of the twin-field (TF) quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol and has been realized in a 511-km field fiber, the farthest field experiment to date. In practice, however, all decoy-state methods have unavoidable source errors, and the source errors may be non-random, which compromises the security condition of the existing TF-QKD protocols. In this study, we present a general approach for efficiently calculating the SNS protocol's secure key rate with source errors, by establishing the equivalent protocols through virtual attenuation and the tagged model.

Low-loss and broadband cascaded SiN RGB coupler with dual-mode interference.

We design and demonstrate a cascaded SiN-based RGB coupler with dual-mode interference (DMI) for a micro laser scanning image projector. The DMI configuration in SiN-based waveguides mitigates the adverse effects of self-image point deviation caused by wavelength dispersion, achieving decreased device length and high transmission efficiency. The underlying mechanisms are discussed based on coupled-mode theory and 3D finite difference time domain simulation.

High-performance plasmonic polymer modulators through mode hybridization and electro-thermomechanical effects.

In this work, an electro-optical polymer modulator with double-layered gold nanostrips, a polymer nanograting, and a metal substrate is proposed and designed. Interestingly, mode hybridization between the Fabry-Pérot (F-P) and anti-bonding modes is formed, and strongly depends on the nanograting size, which can be controllably modulated by an injection current. The simulation and calculation results show that the temperature sensitivity and large structural sensitivity for the polymer modulator could remain constant during the current-tuning process, and a near-zero reflectance and a low linewidth of 13.

Prinsepia utilis Royle leaf extract: Ameliorative effects on allergic inflammation and skin lesions in allergic contact dermatitis and polyphenolic profiling through UPLC-MS/MS coupled to chemometric analysis.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a common allergic inflammatory disease that is concomitant with skin swelling, redness, dry itching, and relapses. Prinsepia utilis Royle, a Chinese and Indian folk medicine, is rich in polyphenols with potential anti-inflammatory and skin-protective activities. However, the underlying mechanism of P.

Protective Effects of 4-Trifluoromethyl-()-cinnamoyl]--4--phenylalanine Acid against Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion Injury through Promoting Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor-Mediated Neurogenesis.

Vascular dementia (VaD), one of the major consequences after stroke, is the second reason for the cognitive decline in aged people. Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) is considered as the main cause for cognitive impairment in VaD patients. In our previous study, a synthetic compound, 4-trifluoromethyl-()-cinnamoyl]--4--phenylalanine acid (), has been proven to decrease infarct volume and to recover the insufficient blood supply after ischemia-reperfusion in rats, which was reminded that may possess the ameliorative effect in CCH.

Population genomics reveals moderate genetic differentiation between populations of endangered Forest Musk Deer located in Shaanxi and Sichuan.

Background: Many endangered species exist in small, genetically depauperate, or inbred populations, hence promoting genetic differentiation and reducing long-term population viability. Forest Musk Deer (Moschus berezovskii) has been subject to illegal hunting for hundreds of years due to the medical and commercial values of musk, resulting in a significant decline in population size. However, it is still unclear to what extent the genetic exchange and inbreeding levels are between geographically isolated populations.

Experimental Side-Channel-Secure Quantum Key Distribution.

Quantum key distribution can provide unconditionally secure key exchange for remote users in theory. In practice, however, in most quantum key distribution systems, quantum hackers might steal the secure keys by observing the side channels in the emitted photons, such as the photon frequency spectrum, emission time, propagation direction, spatial angular momentum, and so on. It is hard to prevent such kinds of attacks because side channels may exist in many dimensions of the emitted photons.

Two New Xanthones from the Twigs of Calophyllum membranaceum and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activities in HESC Cells.

Two new xanthones, calmemxanthone A (1) and calmemxanthone B (2), along with eleven known compounds were isolated from the dried twigs of Calophyllum membranaceum Gardn. et Champ. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were established by analysis of spectra and mass spectrometry data.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of chromone derivatives as novel protein kinase CK2 inhibitors.

Protein kinase CK2 is a potential target for the discovery of anticancer drugs. Flavonoids are reported to be effective CK2 inhibitors. Herein, based on structural trimming of flavonoids, a series of chromone-2-aminothiazole derivatives (1a-d, 2a-g, 4a-j, 5a-k) were designed and synthesized by hybridizing the chromone skeleton with 2-aminothiazole scaffold.

Pyranochromones with Anti-Inflammatory Activities in Arthritis from .

Eleven new pyranochromones, calomembranone A-K (-, two new pyranocoumarins, calopolyanolide E and F ( and ), together with six known analogues (-) were isolated from the leaves of . Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data, computational calculations, as well as X-ray crystallography of and . The anti-inflammatory activities of all the isolates were evaluated by measuring their NO inhibitory effects in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.

4-Trifluoromethyl-(E)-cinnamoyl]-L-4-F-phenylalanine acid exerts its effects on the prevention, post-therapeutic and prolongation of the thrombolytic window in ischemia-reperfusion rats through multiple mechanisms of action.

Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. The severe sequelae caused by ischemic thrombolysis and the narrow time window are now the main clinical challenges. Our previous study has reported 4-Trifluoromethyl-(E)-cinnamoyl]-L-4-F-phenylalanine Acid (AE-18) was a promising candidate for Parkinson's Disease.

Discovery of Eucalyptin C, derived from the fruits of Eucalyptus globulus Labill., as a novel selective PI3Kγ inhibitor for immunosuppressive treatment.

The fruits of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. are known to have a plenty of medicinal properties, such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and immunosuppressive activity. Our previous study found that the phloroglucinol-sesquiterpene adducts in the fruits of E.

Field Test of Twin-Field Quantum Key Distribution through Sending-or-Not-Sending over 428 km.

Quantum key distribution endows people with information-theoretical security in communications. Twin-field quantum key distribution (TF-QKD) has attracted considerable attention because of its outstanding key rates over long distances. Recently, several demonstrations of TF-QKD have been realized.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Celastrol Derivatives with Improved Cytotoxic Selectivity and Antitumor Activities.

Cdc37 associates kinase clients to Hsp90 and promotes the development of cancers. Celastrol, a natural friedelane triterpenoid, can disrupt the Hsp90-Cdc37 interaction to provide antitumor effects. In this study, 31 new celastrol derivatives, -, -, and -, were designed and synthesized, and their Hsp90-Cdc37 disruption activities and antiproliferative activities against cancer cells were evaluated.

Cynaroside protects the blue light-induced retinal degeneration through alleviating apoptosis and inducing autophagy in vitro and in vivo.

Background: Blue light can directly penetrate the lens and reach the retina to induce retinal damage, causing dry age-related macular degeneration (dAMD). Cynaroside (Cyn), a flavonoid glycoside, was proved to alleviate the oxidative damage of retinal cells in vitro. However, whether or not Cyn also exerts protective effect on blue light-induced retinal degeneration and its mechanisms of action are unclear.

Optimization of -Phenylpropenoyl-l-amino Acids as Potent and Selective Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitors for Parkinson's Disease.

-Phenylpropenoyl-l-amino acids (NPAs) are inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitors possessing preventive effects for Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, structural modifications for improving the iNOS inhibitory activity and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability of NPAs were conducted, leading to 20 optimized NPA derivatives (). Compound , with the most potent activity (IC = 74 nM), high BBB permeability ( = 19.