Recent Advances in Self-Assembled Molecular Application in Solar Cells.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted much attention due to their low cost, high efficiency, and solution processability. With the development of various materials in perovskite solar cells, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have rapidly become an important factor in improving power conversion efficiency (PCE) due to their unique physical and chemical properties and better energy level matching. In this topical review, we introduced important categories of self-assembled molecules, energy level modulation strategies, and various characteristics of self-assembled molecules. In addition, we focused on reviewing the application of self-assembled molecules in solar cells, and explained the changes that self-assembled molecules bring to PSCs by introducing the mechanism and effect of self-assembled molecules. Finally, we also elaborated on the challenges currently faced by self-assembled molecules and provided prospects for their applications in other optoelectronic devices.

The effect of central lymph node dissection on the prognosis of cN0 papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a mid-term follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effect of central lymph node dissection on the prognosis of patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) without clinical lymph node metastasis (cN0). METHODS: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 462 patients with cN0 PTMC underwent surgery in the Second Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan City People's Hospital from January 1, 2007, to June 31, 2017. They were divided into two groups: the undissection group (262 cases) and the dissection group (170 cases). A comparison was made between the two groups in terms of postoperative complications, recurrences, metastases, etc., as well aslymph node metastasis risk factors in the central region of cN0 PTMC. RESULTS: There was no lymphatic leakage or death in all patients after the operation. In the dissection group, 64 cases (37.6%) of central lymph node metastasis were found after the postoperative pathological examination. The undissection group was followed up for (92 ± 28.7) months, and the dissection group was followed up for (86 ± 25.4) months (t=-2.165, P = 0.031). In the two groups, there were no lung metastases, bone metastases, or other distant metastases during the follow-up period. In the undissection group, there were 7 cases, while in the dissection group, there were just 2. Recurrence rates between the two groups did not differ significantly (χ2 = 0.126, P = 0.169); Similarly, disease-free survival curves did not differ significantly (χ2 = 2.565, P = 0.708). Hypoparathyroidism and Hypocalcemia also had no difference between the group. In comparison to the undissection group, the capsular invasion rate (P = 0.026), calcification rate(P < 0.001) incidence of postoperative hoarseness (P = 0.017), and hand and foot numbness rate (P < 0.001) were all considerably greater in the dissection group. Multivariate research revealed that capsular invasion (OR = 9.42, P = 0.002), multifocal (OR = 24.57, P < 0.001), and tumor diameter > 5 mm (OR = 5.46, P = 0.019) were the independent risk factors for central lymph node metastasis in cN0 PTMC. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroidectomy alone is safe for cN0 PTMC, but longer-term follow-up is still required for changes in central lymph nodes. For cN0 PTMC patients with tumor diameter > 5 mm, multifocal, and capsular invasion, central lymph node metastasis is more likely to occur. Comprehensive evaluation and individualized and precise treatment are essential.

Identification of a 3-Gene Prognostic Index for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

The accurate determination of the risk of cancer recurrence is a critical unmet need in managing thyroid cancer (TC). Although numerous studies have successfully demonstrated the use of high throughput molecular diagnostics in TC prediction, it has not been successfully applied in routine clinical use, particularly in Chinese patients. In our study, we objective to screen for characteristic genes specific to PTC and establish an accurate model for diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of PTC. We screen the differentially expressed genes by Python 3.6 in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. We discovered a three-gene signature Gap junction protein beta 4 (GJB4), Ripply transcriptional repressor 3 (RIPPLY3), and Adrenoceptor alpha 1B (ADRA1B) that had a statistically significant difference. Then we used Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to establish a diagnostic and prognostic model to verify the three-gene signature. For experimental validation, immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays showed that thyroid samples' proteins expressed by this three-gene are differentially expressed. Our protocol discovered a robust three-gene signature that can distinguish prognosis, which will have daily clinical application.

Network Pharmacology to Explore the Molecular Mechanisms of Prunella vulgaris for Treating Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

Purpose: Prunella vulgaris (PV), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used to treat patients with thyroid disease for centuries in China. The purpose of the present study was to investigate its bioactive ingredients and mechanisms against Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology to provide some basis for experimental research. Methods: Ingredients of the PV formula were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database. Additionally, HT-related genes were retrieved from the UniProt and GeneCards databases. Cytoscape constructed networks for visualization. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was constructed, and a PPI network was built using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database. These key targets of PV were enriched and analyzed by molecular docking verification, Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment. Results: The compound-target network included 11 compounds and 66 target genes. Key targets contained Jun proto-oncogene (JUN), hsp90aa1.1 (AKI), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), and tumor protein p53 (TP53). The main pathways included the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, the TNF signaling pathway, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. The molecular docking results revealed that the main compound identified in the Prunella vulgaris was luteolin, followed by kaempferol, which had a strong affinity for HT. Conclusion: Molecular docking studies indicated that luteolin and kaempferol were bioactive compounds of PV and might play an essential role in treating HT by regulating multiple signaling pathways.

Prioritizing Susceptible Genes for Thyroid Cancer Based on Gene Interaction Network.

Thyroid cancer ranks second in the incidence rate of endocrine malignant cancer. Thyroid cancer is usually asymptomatic at the initial stage, which makes patients easily miss the early treatment time. Combining genetic testing with imaging can greatly improve the diagnostic efficiency of thyroid cancer. Researchers have discovered many genes related to thyroid cancer. However, the effects of these genes on thyroid cancer are different. We hypothesize that there is a stronger interaction between the core genes that cause thyroid cancer. Based on this hypothesis, we constructed an interaction network of thyroid cancer-related genes. We traversed the network through random walks, and sorted thyroid cancer-related genes through ADNN which is fusion of Adaboost and deep neural network (DNN). In addition, we discovered more thyroid cancer-related genes by ADNN. In order to verify the accuracy of ADNN, we conducted a fivefold cross-validation. ADNN achieved AUC of 0.85 and AUPR of 0.81, which are more accurate than other methods.

Potential five-mRNA signature model for the prediction of prognosis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Although the mortality rate of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is relatively low, the recurrence rates of PTC remain high. The high recurrence rates are related to the difficulties in treatment. Gene expression profiles has provided novel insights into potential therapeutic targets and molecular biomarkers of PTC. The aim of the present study was to identify mRNA signatures which may categorize PTCs into high-and low-risk subgroups and aid with the predictions for prognoses. The mRNA expression profiles of PTC and normal thyroid tissue samples were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Differentially expressed mRNAs were identified using the 'EdgeR' software package. Gene signatures associated with the overall survival of PTC were selected, and enrichment analysis was performed to explore the biological pathways and functions of the prognostic mRNAs using the Database for Visualization, Annotation and Integration Discovery. A signature model was established to investigate a specific and robust risk stratification for PTC. A total of 1,085 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified between the PTC and normal thyroid tissue samples. Among them, 361 mRNAs were associated with overall survival (P<0.05). A 5-mRNA prognostic signature for PTC (ADRA1B, RIPPLY3, PCOLCE, TEKT1 and SALL3) was identified to classify the patients into high-and low-risk subgroups. These prognostic mRNAs were enriched in Gene Ontology terms such as 'calcium ion binding', 'enzyme inhibitor activity', 'carbohydrate binding', 'transcriptional activator activity', 'RNA polymerase II core promoter proximal region sequence-specific binding' and 'glutathione transferase activity', and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes signaling pathways such as 'pertussis', 'ascorbate and aldarate metabolism', 'systemic lupus erythematosus', 'drug metabolism-cytochrome P450 and 'complement and coagulation cascades'. The 5-mRNA signature model may be useful during consultations with patients with PTC to improve the prediction of their prognosis. In addition, the prognostic signature identified in the present study may reveal novel therapeutic targets for patients with PTC.

Protocol for the ROBUST (Registry Of type B aortic dissection with the Utility of STent graft) study: an ambispective, multicentre, open cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is widely used for type B aortic dissection, although with satisfactory outcome in a limited proportion of patients. To better inform patient prognostication, the Registry Of type B aortic dissection with the Utility of STent graft (ROBUST) study aims to identify imaging-based predictors of post-TEVAR adverse outcomes up to 10-year follow-up. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: ROBUST is designed as an ambispective, multicentre, open cohort study. All patients undergoing TEVAR from 1 January 2008 to 1 July 2027 at participating centres will be invited to join the study. It is conservatively estimated that over 2000 patients will join the study. Data on demographics, disease history, procedural details, imaging features and follow-up will be collected after discharge. Cox proportional-hazards analysis will be used to identify independent predictors of primary outcomes. Stratification analysis will be performed to identify which subgroup of patients would benefit the most from TEVAR. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The protocol has been approved by the ethics committee of the coordinating centre. Findings will be disseminated in professional peer-reviewed journals to promote understanding of the rehabilitation process. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR-POC-17011726; Pre-results.