Implementing Undergraduate Medical Education Reform to Enhance Problem-Solving and Practical Skills.

Background: Undergraduate medical education in China faces significant gaps in integrating theory with practice, with 32.7% of graduates requiring remedial procedural training.

Objective: To implement and evaluate a competency-based reform targeting problem-solving and practical skills.

PD-L1/ITGB4 Axis Modulates Sensitivity of Hepatocellular Carcinoma to Sorafenib via FAK/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) frequently develops resistance to sorafenib, a first-line treatment for advanced HCC. While PD-L1 contributes to immune evasion and direct tumor survival, its role in modulating sorafenib resistance via non-immunological pathways remains unclear. This study investigates the PD-L1/ITGB4 axis in regulating sorafenib sensitivity.

[The TGF‑β/miR-23a-3p/IRF1 axis mediates immune escape of hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting major histocompatibility complex class I].

Objectives: To investigate the mechanism by which transforming growth factor‑β (TGF‑β) regulates major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and its role in immune evasion of HCC.

Methods: HCC cells treated with TGF‑β alone or in combination with SB-431542 (a TGF-β type I receptor inhibitor) were examined for changes in MHC-I expression using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. A RNA interference experiment was used to explore the role of miR-23a-3p/IRF1 signaling in TGF‑β‑mediated regulation of MHC-I.

A mitochondrial-related gene signature predicts prognosis and immunotherapy response in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, characterized by frequent recurrence and poor clinical outcomes. This study aimed to develop a mitochondria-related genes (MRGs) signature for prognostic stratification and immunotherapy response prediction in HCC patients. Derived from the TCGA-LIHC cohort and validated across independent ICGC-JP and GEO datasets, the MRGs signature comprised four genes (DTYMK, ABCB6, GOT2, and TOMM40L) that were markedly overexpressed in HCC tissues and strongly associated with adverse prognosis.

Research progress in early states of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a narrative review on PRISm, pre-COPD, young COPD and mild COPD.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents a significant global health burden. This review addresses the critical need for early identification and intervention by investigating the current research landscape in the early stages of the disease.

Areas Covered: This review synthesizes the literature on the definitions, epidemiology, diagnostic approaches, prognosis, and management strategies for early COPD states, including preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm), pre-COPD, young COPD, and mild COPD.

Comparative analysis of artificial intelligence tools for the dissemination of colorectal cancer screening guidelines: a novel perspective on early screening education.

This study systematically evaluated the effectiveness of three artificial intelligence (AI) tools-ChatGPT-4o, Claude3.5, and DeepSeek-in disseminating colorectal cancer screening guidelines to non-medical populations. Using uniform instructions aligned with the Chinese society of clinical oncology 2024 standards, the AI-generated content was analyzed for accuracy, clarity, and rigor, supplemented by a cross-evaluation mechanism to quantify performance.

Yellow serofluid-inclusion enhanced anaerobic preservation of whole plant maize for subsequently reducing potential methane emission during in vitro ruminal fermentation.

Yellow serofluid, a wine industry by-product, may alter microbial communities, enhance fermentation, and reduce methane emissions from ruminal fermentation. However, the effect of yellow serofluids on silage fermentation and subsequent methane emissions from maize has not been studied. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of yellow serofluid (Y) and Lentilactobacillus buchneri (L) on the silage preservation, bacterial community, and in vitro fermentation of maize.

MicroRNA Let-7b-5p Targets IGF1R to Inhibit the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through the AKT/mTOR Pathway.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a major global health burden, with microRNA Let-7b-5p (Let-7b-5p) emerging as a potential tumor suppressor. However, its precise role and molecular mechanisms in HCC progression remain unclear, necessitating further investigation.

Methods: We assessed Let-7b-5p expression in HCC versus normal hepatocytes via qRT-PCR and employed functional assays (clone formation, EdU, scratch, Transwell, apoptosis) to examine its effects on proliferation, migration, and cell death.

Dissecting the dual role of OTU family proteins in tumor progression and immune escape.

As a core mechanism regulating intracellular protein homeostasis, the dynamic equilibrium between ubiquitination and deubiquitination profoundly impacts the functionality and fate of target proteins. The Ovarian tumor domain (OTU) family, a vital subclass of deubiquitinating enzymes, comprises 16 members that mediate ubiquitin binding and hydrolysis through their characteristic OTU domain. Recent years have witnessed growing interest in OTU family members in oncology and immunology research.

Atherosclerosis enhances the efficacy of liposome-encapsulated bromocriptine in reducing the incidence of prolactinemia in pituitary tumors.

Intranasal drug delivery via nanocarriers has long been a research focus for enhancing drug concentration in the brain. However, the strategy of exploiting blood-brain barrier (BBB) alterations in atherosclerotic mouse models to enhance nanoparticle-mediated delivery of bromocriptine to the hypothalamus for the treatment of prolactinomas with hyperprolactinemia has not yet been reported. This study reveals that in patients with prolactinomas complicated by arteriosclerosis, bromocriptine therapy more effectively attenuates postoperative elevations in prolactin levels.

An Improved Adaptive Monte Carlo Localization Algorithm Integrated with a Virtual Motion Model.

Regarding the issue of high dependency on odometry in the adaptive Monte Carlo localization (AMCL) algorithm, an improved AMCL algorithm based on the normal distributions transform (NDT) and extended Kalman filter (EKF) is proposed. A virtual motion model is introduced into the AMCL framework to enable pose updates even when the robot has not moved. NDT is used for point cloud matching to estimate virtual displacement and calculate virtual control quantities, which are then fed into the motion model to predict and update particle states when the robot has not moved.

Early-stage lung cancer detection via thin-section low-dose CT reconstruction combined with AI in non-high risk populations: a large-scale real-world retrospective cohort study.

Background: Current lung cancer screening guidelines recommend annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for high-risk individuals. However, the effectiveness of LDCT in non-high-risk individuals remains inadequately explored. With the incidence of lung cancer steadily increasing among non-high-risk individuals, this study aims to assess the risk of lung cancer in non-high-risk individuals and evaluate the potential of thin-section LDCT reconstruction combined with artificial intelligence (LDCT-TRAI) as a screening tool.

Enhancing Lignocellulose Degradation and Mycotoxin Reduction in Co-Composting with Bacterial Inoculation.

The burgeoning global silage industry has precipitated challenges related to the sustainable utilization of mycotoxin-contaminated silage. To understand the effect of bio-enhancement on lignocellulose degradation and mycotoxin reduction, mycotoxin-contaminated silage and rape straw were co-composted without (CK) or with different bacterial agents and their combinations. Compared to CK, the inoculation of and could increase the degradation rate of cellulose by 39.

Electroacupuncture Improves the Motor Function in Rats with Spinal Cord Injury by Regulating UCN2-Mediated cAMP-PKA Signaling in the Spinal Cord Microenvironment.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) has a high mortality and disability rate and can result in severe neurological deficits and complications. The process of SCI is complex and has a long duration. Studies suggest that urocortin 2 (UCN2) is associated with motor functions regulated by the spinal cord.

A shellfish-inspired bionic microstructure design for biological implants: Enhancing protection of antibacterial silver-loaded coatings and promoting osseointegration.

Implants incorporating multi-level micro-nano structures and antibacterial coatings offer a promising approach to overcoming the shortcomings of titanium and its alloys in stimulating bone growth and preventing bacterial infections. Silver ions have been identified as promising antibacterial agents. However, silver-loaded surface coatings are susceptible to damage from direct friction, and excessive release of silver ions can lead to cytotoxicity, thereby limiting their practical application.

UVB radiation and amphibian resilience: Analyzing skin color, immune suppression and oxidative stress in Rana kukunoris from different elevations.

Ultraviolet-B radiation (UVBR), intensified by ozone depletion and climate change, poses a growing ecological threat to amphibians, particularly in high-elevation regions such as the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Endemic to this region, Rana kukunoris spans a wide range of elevations, where distinct populations may have evolved unique strategies and regulatory mechanisms to cope with UVBR. However, specific adaptive responses in adult frogs remain underexplored.

Investigating the adsorption of organic compounds onto microplastics experimental, simulation, and prediction methods.

Exploring the adsorption of organic compounds onto microplastics (MPs) is of great significance for understanding their environmental fate and evaluating their ecological risks. To date, various techniques, , experiments, simulations, and prediction models, have been utilized for exploring the adsorption of different organic compounds onto MPs. In this review, we systematically introduce the sources of MPs, the interactions between MPs and organic compounds, the factors influencing the adsorption of organic compounds onto MPs, and research advances in investigating the adsorption of organic compounds by microplastics with different techniques.

CoCeOx-PVP Catalyst for Effective CO-SCR in the Presence of O.

In an O-containing environment, achieving efficient selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by carbon monoxide (CO) using non-noble metal catalysts remains a formidable challenge. To balance the catalytic oxidation of CO and the catalytic reduction of NOx, we need to develop a catalyst with strong reductibility and weak oxidizability for the CO selective catalytic reduction of NOx (CO-SCR) reaction in the presence of O. In this study, we synthesized the CoCeOx-PVP catalyst via a coprecipitation method and employed various characterization techniques, including BET, SEM, XRD, Raman, XPS, H-TPR, and O-TPD.

Quercetin carbon quantum dots: dual-target therapy for intracerebral hemorrhage in mice.

Following intracerebral hemorrhage, mitigating oxidative stress and removing excess iron are critical strategies for reducing secondary brain injury and improving neurological outcomes. In vitro, we synthesized quercetin-ethylenediamine carbon quantum dots (QECQDs) with diameters of 2-11 nm and found that QECQDs effectively scavenge ABTS+· and DPPH· free radicals, defending HT22 cells against hemin-induced oxidative stress. In vivo, QECQDs predominantly accumulate in the pia mater, subarachnoid space, and dura mater after intrathecal injection.

Chenodeoxycholic acid modulates cholestatic niche through FXR/Myc/P-selectin axis in liver endothelial cells.

Cholestatic liver diseases are characterized by excessive bile acid accumulation in the liver. Endothelial cells (ECs) shape the local microenvironment in both normal conditions and liver injury, yet their role in cholestasis is unclear. Through a comparative analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing data from various murine models of liver injury, we identify distinctive Myc activation within ECs during obstructive cholestasis resulting from bile duct ligation (BDL).

Dual effect of anchored sulphur and activated oxygen in the catalytic oxidation of organic sulfur over Pt single-atom catalysts.

Foul-smelling organic sulfur gases removal of which is crucial for improving environmental quality and protecting human health. Herein, in this study, Pt single-atom (SA) loaded magnesium oxide (MgO) nanosheet catalysts were prepared, which exhibited the dual effects of anchored sulfur and activated oxygen that greatly enhanced the catalytic oxidation efficiency of methyl mercaptan (CHSH), and 90 % complete oxidation of CHSH could be achieved by Pt SA/MgO at 325 °C, with an oxidation efficiency that was 8 times higher than that of MgO nanosheets. A series of characterization results indicate that the valence state of Pt in the Pt SA/MgO catalyst ranges between 0 and +4, demonstrating its inherent electron-donating capability.

Development and external validation of a machine learning-based model to predict postoperative recurrence in patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma: a multicenter, retrospective cohort study.

Background: Duodenal adenocarcinoma (DA) has a high recurrence rate, making the prediction of recurrence after surgery critically important.

Methods: Our objective is to develop a machine learning-based model to predict the postoperative recurrence of DA. We conducted a multicenter, retrospective cohort study in China.

Cooperation of Lactoplantibacillus plantarum and polyethylene microplastics facilitated the disappearance of tetracycline during anaerobic fermentation of whole plant maize.

In agricultural production systems, the harm of both antibiotics and microplastics (MPs) to human health has been an important and continuously concerned issue. A small bagged silage production system was designed to investigate the effects of Lactoplantibacillus plantarum, polyethylene (PE) -MPs and their mixture on the silage fermentation and chemical composition of Tetracycline (TET) -contaminated whole plant maize. In addition, the bacterial community of silage samples was analyzed by using next generation genome sequencing technology.