Early application of nanocarbon suspension in gastric cancer patients enhances postoperative lymph node detection.

Background: This retrospective cohort study explores the association between the interval of nanocarbon application before surgery and the detection of postoperative lymph nodes in patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery.

Methods: This retrospective study included eligible patients diagnosed with T1-3NanyM0 gastric cancer at Fuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital between March 1, 2020, and March 31, 2023, based on predefined inclusion criteria. Participants were grouped according to the timing of nanocarbon suspension application: either on the same day as surgery or at least 3 days prior.

Hydroxyethyl starch-curcumin nanoparticles ameliorate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice via synergistic TLR4/NF-κB suppression, Nrf2 activation, intestinal barrier restoration, and gut microbiota modulation.

Here, we systematically evaluated the therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of action of in-house synthesized hydroxyethyl starch-curcumin nanoparticles (HES-CUR NPs) in ulcerative colitis (UC). Using a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced UC mouse model, we analyzed the effect of HES-CUR NPs on colonic tissue and the gut microbiota through the assessment of organ indices and serum biochemical markers, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and 16S rRNA sequencing. We found that HES-CUR NPs significantly suppressed the TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory pathway (downregulated TLR4, p-IKKβ, IL-1β, IL-6, NFKB, MyD88, and p-IKKB/IKKB; p < 0.

Enhancement of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Mediated Hepatic Apoptosis and Liver Injury by Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a highly pleiotropic cytokine with a variety of biological functions, such as cell proliferation, metabolic activation, inflammatory response, and cell death. TNF-α can induce a variety of mechanisms to initiate hepatocyte apoptosis, resulting in subsequent liver damage. Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) is the most abundant hepatitis B virus protein in the hepatocyte during chronic virus infection.

Bioinspired untethered electromagnetic pipe-crawling robot.

In pipe systems, the emergence of pipe-crawling robots (PCRs) has attracted significant attention for pipe inspection and repair applications. However, conventional PCRs are bulky and heavy, limiting their speed and adaptability, particularly in confined spaces. Additionally, their reliance on tethered power and signal transmission restricts mobility due to the constraints of external cables.

Synthesis and Applications of Encapsulated Glycol-Stabilized Lyotropic Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Hydrogels.

The micro-phase segregation of two incompatible components on a nanometer scale results in a unique solvent-induced extended anisotropic arrangement. With the addition of a chiral dopant, lyotropic liquid crystals can be induced to adopt a helical structure, forming lyotropic cholesteric liquid crystals capable of reflecting incident light. In this study, to prevent fluid leakage in lyotropic materials, we encapsulated a series of hydrogel-stabilized lyotropic liquid crystals, presenting tunable structural colors visible in all directions, mimicking the color-changing characteristics of living organisms.

ACSL4 knockdown inhibits colorectal cancer progression through stimulating anti-tumor immunity.

Background: Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), a crucial modulator of ferroptosis, is associated with tumor progression, though its impact on colorectal cancer (CRC) immune dynamics is not fully understood.

Methods: ACSL4 expression was analyzed in CRC tissues and correlated with patient prognosis. Effects of ACSL4 were evaluated in CRC cells in vitro and in subcutaneous and orthotopic CRC models.

Muscle-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Mediate Exercise-Induced Cognitive Protection in Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion.

Physical exercise protects against cognitive impairment caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH). However, the mechanisms through which exercise sends signals from the periphery to the central nervous system remain incompletely understood. This study demonstrated that exercise promotes the secretion of muscle-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), which facilitate interorgan communication between the muscle and the brain.

Genome-resolved metagenomic analysis reveals a novel denitrifier with truncated nitrite reduction pathway from the genus SC-I-84.

Understanding the genomic and ecological traits of partial denitrification (PD) bacteria is of high importance for developing wastewater treatment technologies. In this study, a PD-based bioreactor was operated, resulting in a mixed culture dominated by a potentially novel PD functional bacterium (SC-I-84). Progressively increased activity in both nitrate reduction and nitrite production were observed in the SC-I-84 enrichment system, whereas the nitrite reduction activity was always negligible.

On-site delivery of bioactive nanospheres utilizing lanthanides as crosslinkers and metastasis-inhibiting agents for breast cancer therapy.

Postoperative breast cancer patients face a critical 2-3-week window during which residual tumor cells are highly prone to metastasis, yet systemic therapies are often ineffective due to impaired vascularization and limited drug transport. To address this challenge, we developed an injectable nanosphere formulation based on hyaluronic acid (HyA) crosslinked with lanthanide ions-europium (Eu) or lanthanum (La) ions-that act dually as physical crosslinkers and therapeutic agents. This dual-function design ensures structural stability without chemical crosslinkers, while actively inhibiting cancer cell migration, invasion, and colonization.

A liquid metal-based sticky conductor for wearable and real-time electromyogram monitoring with machine learning classification.

Skin electronics face challenges related to the interface between rigid and soft materials, resulting in discomfort and signal inaccuracies. This study presents the development and characterization of a liquid metal-polydimethylsiloxane (LM-PDMS) sticky conductor designed for wearable electromyography (EMG) monitoring. The conductor leverages a composite of LM inks and PDMS, augmented with silver nanowires (AgNWs) and surface-modified with mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUD) to enhance conductivity.

Difference of the gut microbiota of premature ovarian insufficiency in two traditional Chinese syndromes.

Purpose: To investigate the differences in gut microbial characteristics between two traditional Chinese syndromes of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).

Methods: Forty women with POI were recruited from the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital between June and December 2020. Women with POI were divided into the kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome (SDBS) and and blood deficiency syndrome (QBDS) groups.

Enhancing Rice Bran Soluble Dietary Fiber Yield Through Sequential Ultrasound-Xylanase Treatment.

The main aim of this study was to enhance the content of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) derived from rice bran (RB) through various treatments, including physical methods (ultrasound and alternating magnetic field (AMF)) and enzymatic approaches (cellulase and xylanase), applied individually or in combination. The results revealed that AMF treatment was the most effective single modification technique for increasing SDF yield, followed by treatments with xylanase, cellulase, and ultrasound. Notably, among the combined approaches, the sequential ultrasound-xylanase treatment (U-X) demonstrated the highest potential for enhancing SDF yield.

Association between mean platelet volume and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus among women with history of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Aims: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between mean platelet volume (MPV) and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), among women with and without a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: Eight thousand one hundred eighty-one parous women of the '2007-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)' were classified into GDM and non-GDM groups based on self-reported GDM history. We investigated the independent association between the MPV and the risk of T2DM in these groups via multivariable regression analysis.

Close relationship with the glandular capsule: a highly sensitive diagnostic indicator of major salivary gland metastatic malignancies in ultrasound.

Objectives: To investigate the ultrasound (US) characteristics of metastatic malignancies (MM) in the major salivary glands and to assess the diagnostic value of the close relationship with the glandular capsule in identifying MM.

Methods: From January 2016 and April 2022, 122 patients with major salivary gland malignancies, including 20 patients with MM and 102 patients with primary malignancies (PM) confirmed by histopathological examination, were enrolled in this study. Their clinicopathologic and US data were recorded and analysed.

CVD Grown CNTs-Modified Electrodes for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries.

Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) are of considerable importance in large-scale energy storage systems due to their high efficiency, long cycle life and easy scalability. In this work, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) grown carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-modified electrodes and Nafion 117 membrane are utilised for formulating a vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). In a CVD chamber, the growth of CNTs is carried out on an acid-treated graphite felt surface.

TRPC absence induces pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization to promote obesity and exacerbate colorectal cancer.

During the past half-century, although numerous interventions for obesity have arisen, the condition's prevalence has relentlessly escalated annually. Obesity represents a substantial public health challenge, especially due to its robust correlation with co-morbidities, such as colorectal cancer (CRC), which often thrives in an inflammatory tumor milieu. Of note, individuals with obesity commonly present with calcium and vitamin D insufficiencies.

Transcriptomic profile of premature ovarian insufficiency with RNA-sequencing.

Introduction: This study aimed to explore the transcriptomic profile of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) by investigating alterations in gene expression.

Methods: A total of sixty-one women, comprising 31 individuals with POI in the POI group and 30 healthy women in the control group (HC group), aged between 24 and 40 years, were recruited for this study. The transcriptomic profiles of peripheral blood samples from all study subjects were analyzed using RNA-sequencing.

A novel prognostic model to predict mortality in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure in intensive care unit.

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) implies high short-term mortality rates and usually requires intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Proper prognosis for these patients is crucial for early referral for liver transplantation. The superiority of CLIF-C ACLF score in Asian patients with ACLF admitted to an ICU remains inconclusive when compared to other scoring systems.

Fluorescence detecting glycopeptide antibiotics via a dynamic molecular switch.

Background: Glycopeptide antibiotics (GPAs) represented by vancomycin (VAN) are clinically used as a first-line treatment for serious infections caused by Gram-positive pathogens. The use and dosing methods of GPAs are rigorously managed for safety considerations, which calls for fast and accurate quantification approaches.

Result: A new sort of fluorescent probes for GPAs has been proposed, each of which was integrated by a fluorescein-based reporter and a GPAs' recognition peptide D-alanyl-D-alanine (D-Ala-D-Ala).

Double-to-Single Umbilical Artery With a Low Pulsatility Index Leading to Fetal Death: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Single umbilical artery (SUA) may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as fetal death, emergency cesarean section, premature delivery, small-for-gestational-age infants, and admission to neonatal intensive care unit, and some SUAs are transformed from originally double umbilical arteries (UA). The pulsatility index (PI) can reflect the resistance of UA, and clinicians attach importance to high PI but easily overlook low levels of it. We reported one case of a pregnant woman who underwent double to single UA accompanied by low UA-PI and finally had intrauterine fetal death.

Prenatal diagnosis and appearance of nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma in a fetus: A case report.

We report a case of fetal nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma (NCMH) first noted on prenatal ultrasound at 34 weeks. A solid-cystic mass which predominantly hyperechoicgenic and relatively clear margin, was located on the left nasal cavity and pharynx, with anterior extension and moderate blood flow. Further follow-up ultrasound examination depicted an enlargement of the tumor.

Chronic Stress Dampens Lactobacillus Johnsonii-Mediated Tumor Suppression to Enhance Colorectal Cancer Progression.

Unlabelled: Colorectal cancer development and outcome are impacted by modifiable risk factors, including psychologic stress. The gut microbiota has also been shown to be linked to psychologic factors. Here, we found a marked deteriorative effect of chronic stress in multiple colorectal cancer models, including chemically induced (AOM/DSS), genetically engineered (APCmin/+), and xenograft tumor mouse models.