Association of triglyceride-glucose index with long-term prognosis in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

Background: Primary liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), ranks as the sixth most prevalent cancer globally and the third major cause of cancer-associated mortality. Despite the available immunotherapies and combined immunotherapy and targeted therapy, the prognosis for many patients remains dismal. Accurately identifying the appropriate patient cohorts is crucial for improving treatment outcomes.

Characterization of electrical properties of dynamic behavior of a V-shaped linear ultrasonic motor.

In this paper, an equivalent circuit model of a V-shaped linear ultrasonic motor is developed, considering the contact characteristics between the stator and the slider, as well as the piezoelectric coupling characteristics of the ultrasonic motor. The relationship between the mechanical parameters and the electrical parameters during the operation of the motor is studied. The admittance circle of the stator is obtained through experimental methods, and the relationship between the admittance circle and the electrical parameters of the equivalent circuit model of the stator is studied and analyzed.

Acousto-optically induced single-frequency Nd:YAG ring laser based on double corner cube retroreflectors.

Using an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) to enforce the unidirectional operation of a Nd:YAG ring laser based on double corner cube retroreflectors (CCRs) was demonstrated for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. By tilting the AOM with RF applied to deviate from the Bragg angle, a different diffraction loss was introduced between the counterpropagating beams in the ring cavity. A continuous wave single-frequency laser with a maximum output power of 2.

Predicting pathological response of resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma to neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 with chemotherapy using serum inflammation indexes.

Background: Inflammatory indexes are increasingly being considered to predict treatment response in tumors. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of serum inflammatory indexes in predicting pathological response in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) receiving anti-PD-1 neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (NICT).

Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical and laboratory data from 116 ESCC patients who received NICT.

Hyaluronidases improve the hyaluronic acid yield during the fermentation of .

Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA), a linear acidic mucopolysaccharide with exceptional biocompatibility, is extensively utilized in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Industrial HA production predominantly relies on Streptococcus zooepidemicus fermentation. However, the accumulation of high-molecular-weight (HMW) HA increases broth viscosity, impeding nutrient diffusion and limiting yield.

Evolutionary history of Old World cellar spiders in the context of Neo-Tethyan sea-land transformations.

The ancient Neo-Tethyan region underwent profound tectonic transformations, including the orogenesis of the Xizang Plateau and the westward retreat and ultimate closure of the Neo-Tethyan Ocean. These events significantly influenced the diversification and biogeography of aquatic animals. However, the impact of these large-scale sea-land shifts on the long-range evolutionary history of terrestrial fauna remains unclear.

Kinetics of Photoisomerization of Azobenzene at Surface of Glassy Polymers.

The design of responsive surfaces of polymer glasses with rapidly switchable properties remains a challenge due to the restricted mobility of the glassy polymer chains, which limits the dynamics as well as the responsiveness. However, recent studies have revealed that the surfaces of polymers exhibit active dynamics even at temperatures far below the glass transition temperature. In this work, we constructed an azobenzene-functionalized surface of glassy polystyrene (PS) and measured the photoisomerization of surface azobenzene using dynamic wetting measurement.

The role of the SIX family in cancer development and therapy: Insights from foundational and cutting-edge research.

The SIX (Sine Oculis homeobox) gene family plays a crucial role in carcinogenesis and cancer therapy by encoding transcription factors that regulate a diverse array of downstream target genes through mechanisms of repression and activation. This review, founded on existing research and incorporating bioinformatics tools, summarizes the expression patterns, prognostic significance, functional roles, and underlying mechanisms of the SIX family across various tumor types. Additionally, it explores the impact of the SIX family in multiple cancer treatment approaches, including cancer chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and herbal or natural ingredient therapy.

Taxonomic notes on four closely related spider species of the genus (Araneae, Pholcidae).

Huber, 2005 contains 53 species. It is distributed in the Indo-Malayan region. In this study, a new species is described from Guangxi, China: Li, Li & Yao, (♂♀).

Design of a water-soluble CD20 antigen with computational epitope scaffolding.

The poor solubility of integral membrane proteins in water frequently hinders studies with these proteins, presenting challenges for structure determination and binding screens. For instance, the transmembrane protein CD20, which is an important target for treating B-cell malignancies, is not soluble in water and cannot be easily screened against potential protein binders with techniques like phage display or yeast display. Here, we use de novo protein design to create a water-soluble mimic of the core epitope of the CD20 dimer ("soluble CD20").

Available phosphorus and opportunistic pathogens drive geographic variation in Escherichia coli O157:H7 survival in soils across eastern China.

The persistence of food-borne pathogens in soil can trigger disease outbreaks, highlighting the critical need to understand their survival patterns. Here we investigate the survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7, a notable food-borne pathogen, across 81 natural soils from eastern China using inoculation experiments. E.

AAV-HBV mouse model replicates the intrahepatic immune landscape of chronic HBV patients at single-cell level.

Introduction: Unresolved hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection leads to a progressive state of HBV-specific immune dysfunctionality that characterizes chronic infection. The immune-competent adeno associated virus (AAV)-HBV mouse model is commonly used preclinically, though a comprehensive characterization of the liver immune microenvironment and its translatability to human infection is still lacking. We investigated the intrahepatic immune profile of the AAV-HBV mouse model at a single-cell level and compared with data from CHB patients in immune tolerant (IT) and immune active (IA) clinical stages.

Targeting super-enhancers in liver cancer: from pathogenic mechanisms to clinical applications.

Liver cancer, especially primary liver cancer (PLC), stands as the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, posing a significant threat to human health. Super-enhancers (SEs), clusters of enhancer elements with high histone modifications and transcriptional activity levels, play crucial roles in diverse biological processes and are closely associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases, including liver cancer. This review first delves into the pathogenic mechanisms of super - enhancers in liver cancer.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) versus tissue culture technique (TCT) in diagnosis of spinal infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Spinal infections pose a significant clinical challenge due to the difficulty of early diagnosis. Traditional Tissue Culture Technique (TCT) has limitations, while Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing (mNGS) has emerged as a promising diagnostic tool. However, reports on the diagnostic performance of mNGS and TCT for spinal infections are inconsistent, and there has been a lack of systematic analysis of the evidence.

Comparing the clinical outcomes of an innovative bi-frame external fixation device compared to those of volar locking plate and external fixator device among patients with unstable distal radius fractures: a two-year retrospective comparative cohort study.

Background: Volar locking plate (VLP) fixation for unstable distal radius fractures (DRF) requires extensive soft tissue dissection and is associated with implant-related complications. Conventional external fixator (EF) carries risks such as reduction loss, pin loosening, and unstable traction. This study retrospectively evaluates the clinical efficacy and safety of a novel bi-frame external fixation device (BEF) compared with VLP and EF over a two-year period.

Association between exposure to bisphenols and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and behavioral problems among Chinese preschoolers.

In order to fill the gap in previous research, we aim to investigate the relationship between single and co-exposure to bisphenols (BPs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and behavioral problems among Chinese preschoolers. The current study measured urinary BPs and PFAS concentrations in 823 Chinese preschoolers. The children's behavioral problems were assessed using the Conners' Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ).

Impact of fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio on the long-term prognosis of patients with advanced HER2-negative gastric cancer receiving immunochemotherapy.

Background: There is currently no effective targeted therapy for advanced HER2-negative gastric cancer (GC). While immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy is the first-line treatment for GC, patient survival outcomes remain highly heterogeneous, highlighting the urgent need for reliable predictive biomarkers. The fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) integrates both inflammation (elevated fibrinogen levels) and nutritional status (reduced albumin levels).

Roles and functions of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and tertiary lymphoid structures in gastric cancer progression.

Gastric cancer (GC), a leading cause of cancer mortality, exhibits profound molecular heterogeneity and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) features that limit therapeutic efficacy. This review elucidates the dual roles of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in GC progression. TLS, ectopic lymphoid organs formed under chronic inflammation, correlate with improved survival and immunotherapy sensitivity by fostering effector T/B cell interactions and antigen presentation.

Diversity survey of spiders (Araneae, Pholcidae) from eastern Sichuan and neighboring areas, with descriptions of six new species.

Thirteen spider species of the genus Walckenaer, 1805 are reported from a diversity survey in eastern Sichuan and neighboring areas (northeastern Yunnan and western Guizhou). They belong to three species groups and include six newly described species: Li, Li & Yao, (♂♀, Yunnan) in the group; Li, Li & Yao, (♂♀, Sichuan) and Li, Li & Yao, (♂♀, Sichuan) in the group; Li, Li & Yao, (♂♀, Sichuan), Li, Li & Yao, (♂♀, Sichuan) and Li, Li & Yao, (♂♀, Sichuan) in the group. Zhu, Zhang, Zhang & Chen, 2005 is recorded from Yunnan for the first time and Zhang & Zhu, 2009 is recorded from Guizhou and Sichuan for the first time.

Bisphenols exposure and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: from environmental trigger to molecular pathogenesis.

Bisphenols (BPs), including bisphenol A (BPA) and its substitutes (BPS, BPF), are ubiquitous environmental contaminants with emerging links to metabolic disorders. This review synthesizes current evidence on the role of BP exposure in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a global health crisis affecting 25% of adults worldwide. Epidemiological studies reveal significant positive associations between urinary/serum BP levels and NAFLD risk, particularly in males, with maternal exposure correlating to transgenerational metabolic dysfunction.

Trop2, Nectin-4, and PD-L1 expression profiles in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Implications for combined immunotherapy and ADC targeted therapies.

Aim: Trop2, Nectin-4, and PD-L1 are targets of antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) drugs and immunological agents, respectively, closely related to the biological characteristics of malignant tumors. This study analyzed the expression and clinical significance of Trop2, Nectin-4, and PD-L1 and their association with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods: Clinicopathological data of 140 patients with ESCC undergoing radical resection at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were retrospectively collected.

A survey of spiders (Araneae, Pholcidae) from eastern Sichuan, China.

China exhibits remarkable diversity of the spider genus Thorell, 1898, while Sichuan Province has recorded only one species, Yao & Li, 2020. In this study, four species were collected in eastern Sichuan by canopy fogging. These comprise two new species, Wang, Li & Yao, and Wang, Li & Yao, , as well as two known species, Zhang, Li & Yao, 2024 and Chen, Zhang & Zhu, 2009, which are reported from Sichuan for the first time.

Multiple heterostructures, rich oxygen vacancies and expansion counteraction effect co-boosted VO/VO/VO@nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets as a high-performance cathode for aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

In this study, a novel cathode material comprising VO/VO/VO@nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets (denoted as VO2/V2O3/V6O13@N-C) with abundant oxygen vacancies was synthesised for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). The synthesis was achieved a self-sacrificial route utilising an organic-inorganic hybrid layered vanadate precursor, [(CH)NH]VO. The presence of oxygen vacancies and multiple heterostructures within the cathode facilitates the diffusion of Zn ions and provides additional active sites for electrochemical reactions.

Filling a zoogeographical gap in China: Taxonomic descriptions of six new spider species of the species group (Araneae, Pholcidae).

The spiders of the species group in China are distributed across the Lüliang Mountains and the Yanshan-Taihang Mountains in northern China, and the Changbai Mountains, which border northeastern China and North Korea. This study presents the first collection of the species group from mountainous regions situated between the Yanshan-Taihang and Changbai Mountains, revealing six new species: S. Li & Yao, , S.

Deep learning based on intratumoral heterogeneity predicts histopathologic grade of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objectives: The potential of medical imaging to non-invasively assess intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) is increasingly being recognized. This study aimed to investigate the value of the ITH-based deep learning model for preoperative prediction of histopathologic grade in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials And Methods: A total of 858 patients from primary cohort and two external cohorts were included.