Preoperative intensity-modulated radiation therapy in lower extremity soft tissue sarcomas with and without dose avoidance of uninvolved skin/subcutaneous tissue.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether dosimetric sparing of uninvolved normal tissues, including skin/subcutaneous flaps, affects acute and late toxicities in preoperative image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IG-IMRT) for lower extremity soft tissue sarcomas (LE-STS).

Methods: Patients with LE-STS from a phase 2 preoperative IG-IMRT trial (flap-sparing-IMRT, 2005-2009) and a prospectively maintained institutional database (standard-IMRT, 2005-2020) were propensity matched by age, sex, tumor size, grade, location, wound closure, and interval from IG-IMRT to surgery; all received 50 Gy in 25 fractions preoperatively. The primary outcome was major wound complication (MWC).

Study on the adjuvant activity and mechanism of action of a novel Monophosphoryl Lipid A.

In order to develop a novel vaccine adjuvant that is highly efficient, cost-effective, and suitable for widespread application, this study employed synthetic biology techniques to produce a new type of Escherichia coli monophosphate lipid A (N-MPL). Specifically, the phosphate group attached to the C-1 position was removed, and a hydroxyl group was introduced into the 3'-secondary fatty acid chain of the original lipid A structure. This modification aimed to reduce toxicity while enhancing water solubility.

Association of TIMP-2 Expression with Postoperative Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients and Development of a Predictive Model.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in postoperative patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), its relationship with prognosis, and to build a nomogram prediction model for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) based on TIMP-2 expression.

Patients And Methods: Expression profile data from HCC-related datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus to analyze the correlation between TIMP-2 and HCC survival and prognosis, and its relationship with the HCC tumor immune microenvironment. Overall, 118 patients who underwent radical surgery for HCC were included retrospectively.

Efflux pumps positively contribute to rifampin resistance in rpoB mutant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Background: While several recent studies have documented the importance of efflux pumps as mediators of rifampin (RIF) resistance, it remains uncertain which efflux pumps play major roles in rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains harboring rpoB gene mutations.

Methods: In this study, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for RIF were calculated and the expression of 13 efflux pump genes was evaluated across 35 clinical rifampicin-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates carrying the rpoB mutation before and after efflux pump inhibitor treatment.

dre-miR-223/IKKα/NF-κB promotes inflammatory response in zebrafish liver (ZFL) cells induced by microcystin-LR.

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is the most prevalent and toxic microcystin congeners. Various studies have provided clear evidence that MC-LR is capable of inducing hepatic inflammation; however, the mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. In this study, the inflammatory reaction induced by MC-LR and the underlying mechanisms in zebrafish liver (ZFL) cells were investigated.

Adverse Effects of Glyphosate and Microcystin-LR on Fish Health: Evidence from Structural and Functional Impairments in Zebrafish Gills.

Glyphosate (GLY) and microcystin-LR (MC-LR) frequently co-occur in natural water bodies. In this study, a subacute exposure test was conducted on zebrafish treated with 3.5 mg/L GLY and 35 μg/L MC-LR, individually and in combination, for 21 d to determine their effects on the gills of zebrafish and their potential mechanisms.

T cell receptor repertoire in cell-free DNA as a proxy for tumor infiltrates in patients treated with pembrolizumab.

Profiling tumor and systemic T cell receptor (TCR) repertoires can identify features associated with the clinical benefit of patients with cancer on immune checkpoint blockade therapy. This study reports on the diversity and specificity analysis of TCR sequences from 58 tumor, 306 peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), and 73 cell-free DNA (cfDNA) samples from 81 patients with solid tumors treated with pembrolizumab. This analysis reveals that head and neck carcinomas have significantly lower PBMC diversity and shorter persistence of pembrolizumab-induced diversification compared to other cancers.

High-temperature thin-film thermocouple for aero-engines.

A thin-film thermocouple sensor directly deposited on nickel-based superalloys was investigated for aero-engine applications. To address the high-temperature and harsh environment challenges, the sensor's film structure was meticulously designed. A NiCrAlY thin-film transition layer was deposited via magnetron sputtering, while an Al₂O₃ thin-film insulation layer and protective layer were prepared using electron beam evaporation and RF magnetron sputtering.

Targeted elimination of senescent cells by ProcyanidinC1 improves diabetic wound healing and restores skin quality.

For diabetic patients, impaired wound healing is a serious complication, which characterized by prolonged inflammation, wound granulation tissue formation obstruction and impaired re-epithelialization. Accumulating evidence shows that senescent cells play a crucial role in the pathomechanism of diabetic wounds. In this study, we systematically evaluated the role of senescent cells in diabetic wound healing through diabetic mice (DM mice) model (including streptozotocin-induced type I DM mice model and db/db (type II DM) mice model, and actively assessed the therapeutic potential of ProcyanidinC1 (PCC1), the novel senolytic compound.

The glutaminase inhibitor JHU-083 mitigates cognitive dysfunction in a mouse model of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by symptoms including re-experiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal, and negative alterations in cognition and mood as defined by DSM-5. It is frequently accompanied by comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairments, which are primarily attributed to abnormal hippocampal neuronal damage and impaired synaptic plasticity. Glutaminase (GLS), a key enzyme in the synthesis of glutamate within the brain, plays a role in regulating neurodevelopment and synaptic excitability.

Exploring the protective effects of Huangyangning dispersible tablets against Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity based on UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental validation in vivo and in vitro.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Huangyangning dispersible tablets (HYN), derived from Buxus microphylla Sieb, are used in traditional Chinese medicine to promote blood circulation, relieve pain, and treat cardiovascular disorders. HYN is a potential Chinese medicine for treating dose-dependent cardiotoxicity (DIC), but its mechanism of action is unclear.

Aim Of The Study: This study aimed to evaluate the potential therapeutic benefits of HYN against DIC and explore its underlying mechanisms in treating DIC.

External Validation of the International Staging Collaboration for Cancer of the Prostate (STAR-CAP) Prognostic System in Patients Managed with Active Surveillance.

Unlabelled: STAR-CAP is a system for assigning clinical prognostic groups in prostate cancer (PC). The system was developed and validated in patients with PC managed with radical treatment (rTx) with curative intent and outperforms existing systems for risk stratification. We evaluated STAR-CAP in patients managed with active surveillance (AS) in two independent prospective cohorts (Princess Margaret Cancer Centre [PMH] and Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre [OCC]) between January 1, 1995, and August 1, 2021.

Intra-operative process efficiency for in-room MRI-guided combined intracavitary/interstitial brachytherapy for cervical cancer.

Purpose: Magnetic resonance image-guided brachytherapy (MRgBT) is the gold-standard treatment for cervical cancer. This study examined workflow times in an integrated MRgBT suite and conventional operating room (OR), and factors contributing to intraoperative efficiency.

Methods And Materials: Consecutive patients with FIGO stage IB-IVA cervical cancer who underwent MRgBT procedures between 2019-2022 were retrospectively reviewed.

Plastisphere characterization and ecological implications of plastic pollution in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, China.

The plastisphere, as a microbial niche on plastics, exacerbates ecological risks to biodiversity in critical habitats like the Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, a sanctuary for endangered Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) and leopards (Panthera pardus orientalis). However, existing research has paid limited attention to the characteristics of the plastisphere within protected areas and its potential threats. Focusing on water sources frequently utilized by sika deer (Cervus nippon), a keystone prey species, this study characterizes plastisphere bacterial across plastic types (PET, PP, PE) and uses (pesticide bags, plastic bags, fishing nets) via 16S rRNA sequencing.

The relationship between physical activity and subjective well-being among Chinese older adults: The mediating role of psychological resilience and the moderating role of gender.

This study investigated the mediating role of psychological resilience in the relationship between physical activity and subjective well-being among older adults, considering gender as a moderating factor. Results showed significant gender differences, with males reporting higher physical activity and resilience but lower subjective well-being than females (p < 0.05).

Interaction and regulatory expression of Polycomb and NuRD complexes in mouse embryonic stem cell under PKC inhibition.

Polycomb repressive complexes (PRC) and nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex are crucial for regulating the expression of pluripotent and developmental genes and maintaining the characteristics of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). However, the interplay between the Polycomb and NuRD complexes in mESCs, particularly under protein kinase C (PKC) inhibition, remains to be elucidated. We knocked down Polycomb complexes components Ezh2, Ring1b, and Cbx7 via short hairpin RNA interference and observed significant reductions in most NuRD complex components, especially Mbd3, Mta1, Rbbp4, and Rbbp7.

Collecting Data on the Social Determinants of Health to Advance Health Equity in Cancer Care in Canada: Patient and Community Perspectives.

Despite advances in cancer care, disparities persist. The collection of the social determinants of health (SDOH) is fundamental to addressing disparities. However, SDOH are inconsistently collected in many regions of the world.

Topological Transformation of MXenes to Non-Van Der Waals Artificial Solids with Well-Defined Structure.

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides (MXenes) have become an ideal platform to produce some derivatives with tunable chemical compositions and structures, possessing unique physical and chemical properties beyond their counterparts. Here, a well-defined non-van der Waals artificial solid is developed on the basis of the topological transformation of Cl-terminated MXenes, which involves the substitution of -Cl with -S terminations to enlarge the interlayer spacing of MXenes and subsequent configuration with transition-metal (Cu, Fe, Co, Ni, and Sn) atoms. After the topological transformation, the MXene layers are chemically bonded, showing a higher thermal stability up to 550 °C in air than that of MXenes.

Gut microbiota-mediated pain sensitization: mechanisms and therapeutic implications.

Emerging evidence has illuminated the pivotal role of gut microbiota in modulating pain sensitivity through bidirectional gut-brain interactions. Current research demonstrates that gut microbial communities significantly influence pain perception by regulating both central and peripheral sensitization mechanisms across various pain modalities. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the mechanisms underlying gut microbiota-mediated pain sensitization, encompassing: (1) cross-talk within the microbiome-gut-brain axis, (2) regulatory effects of microbial metabolites on central and peripheral sensitization pathways, and (3) bioactive compounds derived from gut microbiota that participate in pain modulation.

Regulation of PKCi-mediated pluripotency and gene expression by polycomb complex 1 in mouse embryonic stem cells.

Objectives: Epigenetic modification of Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) plays an important role in regulating the pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells (ES). Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKCi) can capture and maintain the pluripotency of mouse ES (mES). Here, we characterized the dynamic expression pattern of PRC1 and its mechanism of action in PKCi-derived mES (PKCi-mES).

Identification and validation of key target genes of penning formula for treating rat chronic endometritis model.

This study analyzed transcriptome sequencing data from rat samples, categorized into control (normal), model (chronic endometritis, CE), and test (treated with Penning Formula, PNF) groups, to identify key target genes of PNF in CE treatment and elucidate the specific mechanism of PNF treatment for CE. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the model-control (DEGs1) and model-test (DEGs2) groups were compared, revealing 47 PNF-related genes (PRGs), primarily involved in stress response and prolactin signaling. These PRGs were cross-referenced with 909 target genes (TGs) of 25 active ingredients of PNF obtained from public databases, resulting in the identification of three key target genes: Bhmt, Scn10a, and Esr2.

Career adaptability and job burnout of pediatric residents: the role of psychological resilience and insomnia.

Background: Pediatric residents face significant occupational stress due to the demanding work environment, which often leads to high levels of job burnout. The study examined the internal mechanisms by which career adaptability could influence job burnout, focusing on the mediating role of psychological resilience and the moderating effect of insomnia.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to May, 2024, among 866 pediatric residents in the Pearl River Delta region, using a convenience sampling.

Calcium Supplement Combined with Dietary Supplement Kidtal Can Promote Longitudinal Growth of Long Bone in Calcium-Deficient Adolescent Rats.

Growth retardation in adolescents caused by nutritional deficiency requires effective intervention. A novel dietary supplement containing bamboo shoot extract, amino acids, and calcium citrate (Kidtal + Ca, KDTCa) was evaluated for its growth-promoting effects. After acclimatization, sixty-three 3-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal control group and model groups.

Preliminary Monitoring and Observation of Fuel Cell Temperature Characteristics by Using NiCr-NiSi Thin-Film Thermocouple.

This study presents the calibration methodology of NiCr-NiSi thin-film thermocouples and evaluates their application in real-time temperature monitoring and characterization of fuel cell thermal behavior. Experimental results reveal that the Seebeck coefficients of the NiCr-NiSi thin films remain stable after multiple calibration cycles, indicating good reliability and repeatability. Furthermore, the thermocouples demonstrate an ultrafast response time of less than 15 microseconds and reach thermal equilibrium within 200 microseconds under transient thermal inputs.