ADSC-EVs Activate Autophagy Via the AKT/FOXO1 Pathway to Inhibit Tendon Fibrosis.

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) play an important role in tendon healing and regeneration. However, the role of EVs in regulating tendon fibrosis during autophagy has not previously been reported.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of EVs from ADSCs (ADSC-EVs) on the autophagy-mediated regulation of tendon fibrosis.

Combination of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound irradiating immune organs with immune checkpoint blockade augments systemic anti-tumor immunity on low tumor burden 4T-1 breast cancer.

Background: Despite achieving complete remission (CR) through surgery, chemoradiotherapy, targeted therapy, and other treatment modalities, breast cancer, particularly triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains at a high risk of recurrence and metastasis. Enhancing anti-tumor immunity to eliminate residual tumor cells may reduce TNBC relapse. Our previous research indicated low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) can activate the anti‑tumor immunity.

Hypoxia Induces HIF-1α Activation in Tendon Stem Cells to Enhance Extracellular Vesicle-Mediated Tendon Repair.

Tendon injuries are challenging to treat due to the limited blood supply and low cell density in tendon tissue. Tendon stem cells (TSCs) typically reside in a hypoxic environment (1%-5% oxygen), which may be crucial for their physiological function. In this study, we demonstrated that under hypoxic conditions, TSCs release small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) enriched with functional molecules (mainly noncoding RNAs and proteins).

Light-Regulated Microstructure Growth of Dynamic Hydrogels for Flexible Manufacturing of Microlens Arrays.

Microlenses are the basis of diverse modern instruments, which demand for more flexible fabrication. Thermal reflowing after photolithography of non-cross-linked polymers is the most widely applied strategy for manufacturing final products or primary molds of microlenses with desired microcurvatures. However, this approach can commonly form only one specific curvature for the same precursor system, lacking manufacturing flexibility.

A nomogram for predicting overall survival in young triple-negative breast cancer patients: a population-based study.

Background: Young triple negative breast cancer (YTNBC) patients often face poor survival outcomes. Given the high-risk nature of YTNBC, there is an urgent need for tools that can accurately predict patient outcomes and guide personalized treatment strategies. Prognostic models, particularly those in the form of nomograms, have gained popularity in oncology for their ability to integrate multiple clinical variables to estimate individual patient survival.

Identification of endocrine disrupting chemicals targeting NTD-related hub genes during pregnancy via in silico analysis.

Neural tube defects (NTDs) represent severe congenital malformations of the central nervous system with multifactorial etiology, involving intricate gene-environment interactions that remain incompletely characterized. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances with hormone-disrupting properties that are ubiquitous in our surroundings. These chemicals pose a significant threat to human health, contributing to a range of diseases.

Corrosion-resistant single-atom catalysts for direct seawater electrolysis.

Direct seawater electrolysis (DSE) for hydrogen production is an appealing method for renewable energy storage. However, DSE faces challenges such as slow reaction kinetics, impurities, the competing chlorine evolution reaction at the anode, and membrane fouling, making it more complex than freshwater electrolysis. Therefore, developing catalysts with excellent stability under corrosion and fulfilling activity is vital to the advancement of DSE.

Determining the optimal port placement for transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach in a retrospective study.

With the increasing popularity of minimally invasive techniques in thyroid surgery, the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) has garnered significant attention. This study aimed to compare the impact of different distances between the observation and operation ports in TOETVA on clinical treatment outcomes. Ninety patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed.

Impact of bladder volume and bladder shape on radiotherapy consistency and treatment interruption in prostate cancer patients.

Background: To investigate the effect of bladder volume (BV) and bladder shape on consistency and treatment interruption in prostate cancer radiotherapy (RT).

Methods: A total of 275 patients who underwent radical prostate cancer RT in our institution from April 2015 to December 2022 were enrolled. Bladder height, bladder width, and bladder length were defined and recorded.

Carboxylative cyclization of atmospheric CO with alkynol catalyzed by a 1-methylhydantoin anion-functionalized ionic liquid chelative interactions.

Metal- and solvent-free carboxylative cyclization of atmospheric CO with alkynol can be achieved using a 1-methylhydantoin anion-functionalized ionic liquid. H NMR, FT-IR and DFT calculations indicate that the 1-methylhydantoin anion acts as a "pincer ligand" to form chelative interactions with the hydroxyl group, thereby effectively activating the alkynol.

Bimetallic MOFs-Derived Metal Oxides CoO/SnO Microspheres for Ultrahigh Response -Butanol Gas Sensors.

The construction of p-n heterojunctions is expected to be one of the effective means to improve gas sensitivity. In this research, p-n heterojunctions are successfully constructed by metal oxides derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). MOFs-derived bimetallic CoO/SnO microspheres are prepared by precipitation.

Clinical efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound for breast fibroadenoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in the treatment of breast fibroadenoma in different studies.

Methods: Studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of US-guided HIFU in the treatment of histologically-proven FA with follow-up outcomes of more than 3 months were searched through MEDLINE/PubMed databases. Volume reduction rate (VRR) and side effects were extracted and compared for further analysis.

Co-Invasion of Congeneric Invasive Plants Adopts Different Strategies Depending on Their Origins.

Plant communities may be co-invaded by invasive plants, sometimes even by congeneric invasive plants (CIPs). Despite the growing understanding of co-invasion in the environment, little is known about how CIP interactions and mechanisms regulate co-invasion. Darwin's naturalisation conundrum predicts that the coexistence of closely related species is difficult due to their structural and behavioural similarities.

A novel pyroptosis-related gene signature exhibits distinct immune cells infiltration landscape in Wilms' tumor.

Background: Wilms' tumor (WT) is the most common renal tumor in childhood. Pyroptosis, a type of inflammation-characterized and immune-related programmed cell death, has been extensively studied in multiple tumors. In the current study, we aim to construct a pyroptosis-related gene signature for predicting the prognosis of Wilms' tumor.

Does the active hydrogen atom in the hydantoin anion affect the physical properties, CO capture and conversion of ionic liquids?

Compared to the effect of the active hydrogen atom in the cation in protic ionic liquids (ILs) on their properties and applications, there are very few reports on the role of the active hydrogen atom in the anion. In order to better understand the role of the active hydrogen atom in the anion, the physical properties, CO capture and conversion of three hydantoin-based anion-functionalized ILs ([P][Hy], [P][Hy], and [HDBU][Hy]) have been investigated experiments, spectroscopy, and DFT calculations in this work. The results show that the active hydrogen atom in the anion can form anionic hydrogen bonding networks, which significantly increase the melting point and viscosity and decrease the basicity of the IL, thereby weakening its ability to capture and convert CO.

Advances in superhydrophobic material research: from preparation to electrified railway protection.

Freezing is a serious problem that affects the power, transport, and transmission industries and is a major concern for the national economy and safety. Currently, several engineering de-icing methods, such as thermal, mechanical, and chemical de-icing, have shown problems related to energy consumption, efficiency, and the environment. Superhydrophobic materials have high droplet contact and roll angles, which can reduce the droplet residence and ice adhesion on their surfaces and have unique advantages in the self-cleaning and anti-icing fields.

The Inhibition of Fibrosis and Inflammation in Obstructive Kidney Injury via the miR-122-5p/SOX2 Axis Using USC-Exos.

Fibrosis and inflammation due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction substantially contributes to poor renal function. Urine-derived stem-cell-derived exosomes (USC-Exos) have therapeutic effects through paracrine. In vitro, the effects of USC-Exos on the biological functions of HK-2 and human umbilical vein endothelial cells were tested.

Study on the aging status of insulators based on hyperspectral imaging technology.

The acidic environment is one of the main factors leading to the aging of silicone rubber (SiR) insulators. Aging can reduce the surface hydrophobicity and pollution flashover resistance of insulators, threatening the safe and stable operation of the power grid. Therefore, evaluating the aging state of insulators is essential to prevent flashover accidents on the transmission line.

New Local Composition Model for Correlating of the Molar Conductivity of Ionic Liquid-Solvent Systems over the Whole Concentration Range.

Considering that traditional electrolyte models are limited to use in the solvent-rich region, the development of new models to describe the molar conductivity (Λ) over the whole concentration range of ionic liquid (IL)-solvent systems is a meaningful study. Based on the idea of local composition and the law of independent ion migration, a new model is proposed in this study and used to successfully correlate the relationship between Λ and composition over the whole concentration range for 18 IL-solvent systems with satisfactory fitting accuracy. Meanwhile, the electrical conductivity (κ) of the systems is estimated using the calculated Λ.

Small extracellular vesicles derived from tendon stem cells promote the healing of injured Achilles tendons by regulating miR-145-3p.

The therapeutic role of tendon stem cells (TSCs) in tendon-related injuries has been well documented. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are being increasingly used as new biotherapeutic agents for various diseases. Therefore, the potential function of TSC-sEVs in tendon injury repair warrants further investigation.

Efficient catalytic conversion of CO to quinazoline-2,4(1,3)-diones by a dual-site anion-functionalized ionic liquid: reconsidering the mechanism.

In order to elucidate the reaction mechanism of ionic liquid-catalyzed CO with 2-aminobenzonitrile, [P][Hy] with two N sites is designed for the efficient preparation of quinazoline-2,4(1,3)-diones. The results show that [Hy] can activate 2-aminobenzonitrile by hydrogen bonding with -NH in addition to activating CO, and the key intermediate is revealed.

Efficacy of metoprolol combined with torasemide in elderly patients with degenerative valvular heart disease and heart failure and its influence on NT-proBNP levels.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of metoprolol combined with torasemide in elderly patients with degenerative valvular heart disease (DVHD) and heart failure and its influence on N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations.

Methods: The records of 129 DVHD patients ≥60 years old with heart failure diagnosed and treated in our hospital from January 2020 to February 2022 were retrospectively selected. According to the treatment records, 62 patients received metoprolol treatment (Control-group), and 67 patients received metoprolol combined with torasemide treatment (Observation-group).

A Novel Anti-Flashover Superhydrophobic Coating with Self-Assembly Characteristic of Surface Energy Differences.

Because of the versatility of superhydrophobic materials, they have attracted a lot of attention even in power electronics, transportation, engineering, and other fields. The volume fraction of fluorinated silicon oxide nanoparticles in superhydrophobic materials is one of the most important factors. Increasing the volume fraction will decrease the stability between the coating and the hydrophobic surface.

Near-Infrared Light Driven ZnInS-Based Photocatalysts for Environmental and Energy Applications: Progress and Perspectives.

Zinc indium sulfide (ZnInS), as a significant visible-light-responsive photocatalyst, has become a research hotspot to tackle energy demand and environmental issues owing to its excellent properties of high stability, easy fabrication, and remarkable catalytic activity. However, its drawbacks, including low utilization of solar light and fast photoinduced charge carriers, limit its applications. Promoting the response for near-infrared (NIR) light (~52% solar light) of ZnInS-based photocatalysts is the primary challenge to overcome.

Attitude Disparity and Worrying Scenarios in Genetic Discrimination-Based on Questionnaires from China.

As genetic testing is increasingly used in non-medical fields, the judgment of people's potential conditions based on predictive genetic information inevitably causes genetic discrimination (henceforth GD). This article aimed to systematically investigate the disparity in attitudes and worrying scenarios concerning GD in China. A questionnaire survey of 555 respondents was conducted.