Effect of smoking on prostate cancer: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2018 and Mendelian randomization analyses.

INTRODUCTION: The controversial relationship between smoking and prostate cancer (PCa) risk prompted us to conduct a cross-sectional study using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database and apply Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses in order to clarify the possible causal effect of smoking on PCa risk. METHODS: Using univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods, a secondary analysis of the pooled 2003-2018 NHANES dataset was performed to explore the association between smoking and PCa risk. Propensity-score matching was used to reduce selection bias. Then, we conducted subsequent MR analysis study to investigate the potential causal effect of smoking on PCa risk, with genetic variants of four exposure factors including the lifetime smoking index, light smoking, smoking initiation, and the amount of smoking per day obtained from genome-wide association studies, and PCa summary statistics obtained from three database populations. Inverse-variance weighting was the primary analytical method, and weighted median and MR-Egger regression were used for sensitivity analyses. The MR results for the three PCa databases were combined using meta-analysis. RESULTS: The study included 16073 NHANES subjects, comprising 554 with PCa and 15519 without PCa. Logistic regression before and after matching did not reveal any significant association. Meta-analysis of the MR results also did not support an association of PCa risk with lifetime smoking index (OR=0.95; 95% CI: 0.83-1.09), light smoking (OR=1.00; 95% CI: 0.95-1.06), smoking initiation (OR=0.99, 95% CI=0.99-1.00), or the amount of smoking per day (OR=1.00; 95% CI: 0.99-1.00) and PCa risk. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence for an association between smoking and the risk of PCa. Further studies are needed to determine if there are any associations of other forms of smoking with the risk of PCa at different stages.

Influence and mechanism of typical transition metal ions on the denitrification performance of heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification bacteria.

To investigate the inhibitory effects of various transition metal ions on nitrogen removal and their underlying mechanisms, the single and combined effects of Cu2+ Ni2+ and Zn2+ on Heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification (HN-AD) bacteria Acinetobacter sp. TAC-1 were studied in a batch experiment system. The results revealed that increasing concentrations of Cu2+ and Ni2+ had a detrimental effect on the removal of ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) and total nitrogen (TN). Specifically, Cu2+ concentration of 10 mg/L, the TN degradation rate was 55.09%, compared to 77.60% in the control group. Cu2+ exhibited a pronounced inhibitory effect. In contrast, Zn2+ showed no apparent inhibitory effect on NH4+-N removal and even enhanced TN removal at lower concentrations. However, when the mixed ion concentration of Zn2++Ni2+ exceeded 5 mg/L, the removal rates of NH4+-N and TN were significantly reduced. Moreover, transition metal ions did not significantly impact the removal rates of chemical oxygen demand (COD). The inhibition model fitting results indicated that the inhibition sequence was Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Ni2+. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that metal ions influence TAC-1 activity by modulating the expression of pivotal genes, including zinc ABC transporter substrate binding protein (znuA), ribosomal protein (rpsM), and chromosome replication initiation protein (dnaA) and DNA replication of TAC-1 under metal ion stress, leading to disruptions in transcription, translation, and cell membrane structure. Finally, a conceptual model was proposed by us to summarize the inhibition mechanism and possible response strategies of TAC-1 bacteria under metal ion stress, and to address the lack of understanding regarding the influence mechanism of TAC-1 on nitrogen removal in wastewater co-polluted by metal and ammonia nitrogen. The results provided practical guidance for the management of transition metal and ammonia nitrogen co-polluted water bodies, as well as the removal of high nitrogen.

Nomogram for predicting intolerable postoperative early enteral nutrition following definitive surgery for small intestinal fistula: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to develop and validate a nomogram for predicting intolerable early enteral nutrition (EEN) following definitive surgery (DS) for small intestinal fistula. METHODS: A total of 377 patients, recruited from January 2016 to September 2023, was randomly allocated into development (n=251) and validation (n=126) groups in a 2:1 ratio. Risk factors were identified using the nomogram. Its performance was assessed based on calibration, discrimination, and clinical utility, with validation confirming its effectiveness. RESULTS: Of the 377 patients, 87 (23.1%) were intolerant to EEN, including 59 (23.1%) in the development cohort and 28 (22.1%) in the validation cohort (P=0.84). Four factors were identified as predictive of intolerable EEN: severe abdominal adhesion, deciliter of blood loss during DS, human serum albumin (Alb) input >40 g during and within 48 hours post-DS, and the visceral fat area (VFA)/total abdominal muscle area index (TAMAI) ratio. The model demonstrated excellent discrimination, with a C-index of 0.79 (95% CI, 0.74-0.87, including internal validation) and robust calibration. In the validation cohort, the nomogram showed strong discrimination (C-index=0.77; 95% CI, 0.64-0.87) and solid calibration. Decision curve analysis affirmed the nomogram's clinical utility. CONCLUSION: This research introduces a nomogram that enables the individualized prediction of intolerable EEN following DS for small intestinal fistula, demonstrating a possible clinical utility.

[Retracted] Tripartite motif 16 suppresses breast cancer stem cell properties through regulation of Gli­1 degradation via the ubiquitin­proteasome pathway.

Following the publication of the above paper, it was drawn to the Editors' attention by a concerned reader that the data obtained from sphere­forming assay experiments shown in Figs. 4C­F and 8B and C, and western blotting data in Figs. 4A and 8A, were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in other articles by different authors from different research institutes that had already been published, one of which has been retracted. Moreover, a pair of data panels comparing between Fig. 4E and 8C were partly overlapping, such that these data appear to have been derived from the same original source. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article had already been published elsewhere prior to its submission to Oncology Reports, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office did not receive a reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [Oncology Reports 35: 1204­1212, 2016; DOI: 10.3892/or.2015.4437].

Development and validation of a risk score nomogram model to predict the risk of 5-year all-cause mortality in diabetic patients with hypertension: A study based on NHANES data.

Background: The present study aimed to develop and validate a prediction nomogram model for 5-year all-cause mortality in diabetic patients with hypertension. Methods: Data were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). A total of 3291 diabetic patients with hypertension in the NHANES cycles for 1999-2014 were selected and randomly assigned at a ratio of 8:2 to the training cohort (n = 2633) and validation cohort (n = 658). Multivariable Cox regression was conducted to establish a visual nomogram model for predicting the risk of 5-year all-cause mortality. Receiver operating characteristic curves and C-indexes were used to evaluate the discriminant ability of the prediction nomogram model for all-cause mortality. Survival curves were created using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. Results: The nomogram model included eight independent predictors: age, sex, education status, marital status, smoking, serum albumin, blood urea nitrogen, and previous cardiovascular disease. The C-indexes for the model in the training and validation cohorts were 0.76 (95% confidence interval: 0.73-0.79, p < 0.001) and 0.75 (95% confidence interval: 0.69-0.81, p < 0.001), respectively. The calibration curves indicated that the model had satisfactory consistency in the two cohorts. The risk of all-cause mortality gradually increased as the tertiles of the nomogram model score increased (log-rank test, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The newly developed nomogram model, a readily useable and efficient tool to predict the risk of 5-year all-cause mortality in diabetic patients with hypertension, provides a novel risk stratification method for individualized intervention.

Chemical and Geological Properties of Shale Gas: In Situ Desorption of Lower Cambrian Niutitang Shale in the Micangshan Tectonic Zone of South Shaanxi, China.

Shale gas was recently found in the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation (LCNF) of the Micangshan tectonic zone of south Shaanxi (MTZSS), but not in commercial quantities. To determine the laws governing the generation, enrichment, and desorption of shale gases in overmatured shale strata in the LCNF of MTZSS, we carried out in situ desorption experiments on nine shale core samples and got 168 desorbed gas samples at different phases of desorption. Also measured were the chemical and carbon isotopic compositions of these desorbed gas samples and the geochemical parameters of the shale core samples. CH4 was the predominant hydrocarbon shale gas identified in the 82.06-98.48% range, suggesting that the gases were mainly dry. The nonhydrocarbon gases found were CO2 and H2. The CH4 content of the desorbed gas samples dropped continuously during desorption, lowering the dryness index to 98.48 and 92.26% of the first and last desorbed shale gas, respectively. The change in the gas ratio during shale gas desorption proved that the adsorbability of the LCNF to the various gases follows the trend H2 > CO2 > C2H6 > CH4 > He. Further, δ13C2H6 and δ13CH4 become heavier during desorption, showing isotopic fractionation arising from the desorption-diffusion coeffect. As the desorption temperature increases, the value of δ13CH4 increases because 12CH4 is more sensitive to temperature than 13CH4, so it is with the ethane. Similar to the LCNF shale gas in other areas of China, the desorbed shale gases are characteristic of carbon isotope reversal (CIR) (δ13CH4 > δ13C2H6). The cracking of the residual soluble organic matter at the high overmaturity stage mixed with the cracking of kerogen at the early stage of maturation, causing CIR. Furthermore, the desorbed gas content was proportionally and inversely related to the CIR degree and final dryness index of the desorbed gas, respectively. Moreover, the carbon isotope fractionation degree of CH4 and δ13C1 of the last desorbed gas correlated positively with the desorbed gas content and the desorbed time of the gas. In conclusion, the four parameters are effective parameters for identifying shale gas sweet spots.

Imbibition Characteristics and Influencing Factors of the Fracturing Fluid in a Tight Sandstone Reservoir.

The strong reservoir heterogeneity and complex microscopic pore structure in the Linxing area make it prone to water block damage during imbibition development. In order to explore the influence of reservoir microscopic characteristics on imbibition efficiency, taking the tight sandstone gas reservoir in the Linxing area of Ordos Basin as an example, the heterogeneity of the tight sandstone reservoir in the study area is characterized in terms of physical and chemical characteristics as well as the microscopic pore structure. Using nuclear magnetic resonance, high-pressure mercury pressure, and other testing methods, spontaneous seepage experiments in real sandstone were carried out to study the distribution law of different pore structures and seepage characteristics at different times and to systematically evaluate the microscopic pore characteristics of dense sandstone reservoirs and the factors affecting seepage and suction. The results show that due to the strong microscopic heterogeneity of tight sandstone, the macroscopic properties cannot directly reflect the microscopic characteristics, and the response to imbibition efficiency is stronger. The pore size is the main controlling factor affecting imbibition, and the contribution rate of the micropore and mesopore mainstream pore size spaces is higher than that of the macropore. Micropores provide imbibition power, and mesopores provide an imbibition interval. High-porosity and high permeability reservoirs are more conducive to imbibition replacement. The intercrystalline pores have a great influence on the imbibition efficiency, and the influence of intergranular pores and dissolution pores on the imbibition cannot be underestimated. The smaller the relative sorting coefficient, interfacial tension, and contact angle, the better the imbibition effect of fracturing fluid. Research results have theoretical guiding significance for spontaneous imbibition to improve oil recovery.

Platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy upregulates STING/IFN pathway expression and promotes TILs infiltration in NSCLC.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) on the STING/IFN pathway and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as well as clinicopathological factors affecting patient survival. Materials and methods: A total of 68 patients aged 34-77 years with NSCLC who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgical treatment from March 2012 to February 2019 were reviewed, and the clinical pathological data and paired tissue specimens before and after NACT were collected. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to detect the protein levels of STING, PD-L1 and IFN-ß, and the infiltration density of CD3+ TILs and CD8+TILs. The correlation between the expression of STING, PD-L1, IFN-ß and the infiltration density of CD3+ TILs and CD8+ TILs as well as the clinicopathological characteristics before and after NACT was analyzed. The relationship between the related indexes, clinicopathological features and prognosis was also discussed. Results: NACT increased the expression of STING, IFN-ß and PD-L1 in tumor cells, and the infiltration of CD3+ and CD8+ TILs. In addition, ypTNM stage, ypN stage, changes in CD3+ TILs and in PD-L1 were associated with DFS (disease-free survival). CD3+ TILs changes and ypN stage were associated with OS (overall survival). Notably, ypN stage and CD3+ TILs changes were independent prognostic factors for DFS and OS. Conclusion: NACT stimulates STING/IFN-ß pathway, promotes infiltration of CD3+ and CD8+ TILs, triggers innate and adaptive immunity, and also upregulates PD-L1, which complemented the rationale for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in combination with immunotherapy. In addition, DFS was longer in patients with ypTNM I, ypN0-1, and elevated CD3+TILs after NACT. Patients with ypN0 and elevated CD3+ TILs after NACT had better OS benefits.

Advanced Electrospinning Technology Applied to Polymer-Based Sensors in Energy and Environmental Applications.

Due to its designable nanostructure and simple and inexpensive preparation process, electrospun nanofibers have important applications in energy collection, wearable sports health detection, environmental pollutant detection, pollutant filtration and degradation, and other fields. In recent years, a series of polymer-based fiber materials have been prepared using this method, and detailed research and discussion have been conducted on the material structure and performance factors. This article summarizes the effects of preparation parameters, environmental factors, a combination of other methods, and surface modification of electrospinning on the properties of composite nanofibers. Meanwhile, the effects of different collection devices and electrospinning preparation parameters on material properties were compared. Subsequently, it summarized the material structure design and specific applications in wearable device power supply, energy collection, environmental pollutant sensing, air quality detection, air pollution particle filtration, and environmental pollutant degradation. We aim to review the latest developments in electrospinning applications to inspire new energy collection, detection, and pollutant treatment equipment, and achieve the commercial promotion of polymer fibers in the fields of energy and environment. Finally, we have identified some unresolved issues in the detection and treatment of environmental issues with electrospun polymer fibers and proposed some suggestions and new ideas for these issues.

Alectinib continuation beyond progression in ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer with alectinib-refractory.

Background: Alectinib, a next-generation anaplastic lymphoma kinase tyrosine kinase inhibitor (ALK-TKI), has demonstrated noteworthy efficacy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Unfortunately, 53.3% of untreated patients receiving first-line treatment with alectinib developed resistance to alectinib. However, despite the widespread use of alectinib, studies on the efficacy and safety of continuing alectinib with other necessary therapies after progression of alectinib and possible population of benefit are still limited. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included fifteen patients with ALK-positive NSCLC from nine institutions in China who experienced disease progression after first- or second-line treatment and continued to receive alectinib treatment between 2019 and 2022. This study aimed to evaluate the median progression-free survival (mPFS), objective response rate (ORR), median overall survival (mOS), and adverse events (AEs) of continuing alectinib combined with other therapies after the emergence of drug resistance. Results: Among fifteen patients eligible for this study, all patients started continuing treatment with alectinib after oligoprogression or central nervous system (CNS) progression. The mPFS for the whole cohort receiving continuing alectinib with other necessary therapies was 8 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 4 to not applicable (NA)], with an ORR of 46.7%. The mOS was not reached. During continuing alectinib treatment, only one patient experienced grade 2 elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT). Conclusions: The continuation of alectinib treatment combined with other necessary therapies demonstrates favorable response and safety in patients with ALK-positive NSCLC who experienced oligoprogression or CNS progression following alectinib in first- or second-line therapy. Instead of immediately switching to another ALK-TKI, continuing alectinib combined with other necessary therapies may offer greater survival benefits to the patients.

Functional characterization of a geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase in the leaf beetle Monolepta hieroglyphica.

Geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPPS) as the short-chain prenyltransferases for catalyzing the formation of the acyclic precursor (E)-GGPP has been extensively investigated in mammals, plants, and microbes, but its functional plasticity is poorly understood in insect species. Here, a single GGPPS in leaf beetle Monolepta hieroglyphica, MhieGGPPS, was functionally investigated. Phylogenetic analysis showed that MhieGGPPS was clustered in one clade with homologs and had six conserved motifs. Molecular docking results indicated that binding sites of dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP), (E)-geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP), and (E)-farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) were in the chain-length determination region of MhieGGPPS, respectively. In vitro, recombiant MhieGGPPS could catalyze the formation of (E)-geranylgeraniol against different combinations of substrates including isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP)/DMAPP, IPP/(E)-GPP, and IPP/(E)-FPP, suggesting that MhieGGPPS could not only use (E)-FPP but also (E)-GPP and DMAPP as the allylic cosubstrates. In kinetic analysis, the (E)-FPP was most tightly bound to MhieGGPPS than that of others. It was proposed that MhieGGPPS as a multifunctional enzyme is differentiated from the other GGPPSs in the animals and plants, which only accepted (E)-FPP as the allylic cosubstrate. These findings provide valuable insights into understanding the functional plasticity of GGPPS in M. hieroglyphica and the novel biosynthesis mechanism in the isoprenoid pathway.

Hybrid Whale Optimization with a Firefly Algorithm for Function Optimization and Mobile Robot Path Planning.

With the wide application of mobile robots, mobile robot path planning (MRPP) has attracted the attention of scholars, and many metaheuristic algorithms have been used to solve MRPP. Swarm-based algorithms are suitable for solving MRPP due to their population-based computational approach. Hence, this paper utilizes the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) to address the problem, aiming to improve the solution accuracy. Whale optimization algorithm (WOA) is an algorithm that imitates whale foraging behavior, and the firefly algorithm (FA) is an algorithm that imitates firefly behavior. This paper proposes a hybrid firefly-whale optimization algorithm (FWOA) based on multi-population and opposite-based learning using the above algorithms. This algorithm can quickly find the optimal path in the complex mobile robot working environment and can balance exploitation and exploration. In order to verify the FWOA's performance, 23 benchmark functions have been used to test the FWOA, and they are used to optimize the MRPP. The FWOA is compared with ten other classical metaheuristic algorithms. The results clearly highlight the remarkable performance of the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) in terms of convergence speed and exploration capability, surpassing other algorithms. Consequently, when compared to the most advanced metaheuristic algorithm, FWOA proves to be a strong competitor.

ZNF283, a Krüppel-associated box zinc finger protein, inhibits RNA synthesis of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus by interacting with Nsp9 and Nsp10.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a viral pathogen with substantial economic implications for the global swine industry. The existing vaccination strategies and antiviral drugs offer limited protection. Replication of the viral RNA genome encompasses a complex series of steps, wherein a replication complex is assembled from various components derived from both viral and cellular sources, as well as from the viral genomic RNA template. In this study, we found that ZNF283, a Krüppel-associated box (KRAB) containing zinc finger protein, was upregulated in PRRSV-infected Marc-145 cells and porcine alveolar macrophages and that ZNF283 inhibited PRRSV replication and RNA synthesis. We also found that ZNF283 interacts with the viral proteins Nsp9, an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and Nsp10, a helicase. The main regions involved in the interaction between ZNF283 and Nsp9 were determined to be the KRAB domain of ZNF283 and amino acids 178-449 of Nsp9. The KRAB domain of ZNF283 plays a role in facilitating Nsp10 binding. In addition, ZNF283 may have an affinity for the 3' untranslated region of PRRSV. These findings suggest that ZNF283 is an antiviral factor that inhibits PRRSV infection and extend our understanding of the interactions between KRAB-containing zinc finger proteins and viruses.

S100A4 reprofiles lipid metabolism in mast cells via RAGE and PPAR-γ signaling pathway.

S100A4 is implicated in metabolic reprogramming across various cell types and is known to propel the progression of numerous diseases including allergies. Nonetheless, the influence of S100A4 on mast cell metabolic reprogramming during allergic disorders remains unexplored. Utilizing a mast cell line (C57), cells were treated with recombinant mouse S100A4 protein, with or without a PPAR-γ agonist (ROSI) or a RAGE inhibitor (FPS-ZM1). Subsequent assessments were conducted for mast cell activation and lipid metabolism. S100A4 induced mast cell activation and the release of inflammatory mediators, concurrently altering molecules involved in lipid metabolism and glycolysis over time. Furthermore, S100A4 stimulation resulted in cellular oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Alterations in the levels of pivotal molecules within the RAGE/Src/JAK2/STAT3/PPAR-γ and NF-κB signaling pathways were noted during this stimulation, which were partially counteracted by ROSI or FPS-ZMI. Additionally, a trend of metabolic alterations was identified in patients with allergic asthma who exhibited elevated serum S100A4 levels. Correlation analysis unveiled a positive association between serum S100A4 and serum IgE, implying an indirect association with asthma. Collectively, our findings suggest that S100A4 regulates the lipid-metabolic reprogramming of mast cells, potentially via the RAGE and PPAR-γ-involved signaling pathway, offering a novel perspective in the disease management in patients with allergic disorders.

Predicting stroke and myocardial infarction risk in Takayasu arteritis with automated machine learning models.

Few models exist for predicting severe ischemic complications (SIC) in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA). We conducted a retrospective analysis of 703 patients with TA from January 2010 to December 2019 to establish an SIC prediction model for TA. SIC was defined as ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. SIC was present in 97 of 703 (13.8%) patients with TA. Common iliac artery, coronary artery, internal carotid artery, subclavian artery, vertebral artery, renal artery involvement, chest pain, hyperlipidemia, absent pulse, higher BMI, vascular occlusion, asymmetric blood pressure in both upper limbs, visual disturbance, and older age were selected as predictive risk factors. Considering both discrimination and calibration performance, the Weighted Subspace Random Forest model was the most optimal model, boasting an area under the curve of 0.773 (95% confidence interval [0.652, 0.894]) in the validation cohort. Effective models for predicting SIC in TA may help clinicians identify high-risk patients and make targeted interventions.

Persulfidation of plant and bacteroid proteins is involved in legume nodule development and senescence.

Legumes establish symbiosis with rhizobia forming nitrogen-fixing nodules. The central role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in nodule biology has been clearly established. Recently, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and other reactive sulfur species (RSS) have emerged as novel signaling molecules in animals and plants. A major mechanism by which ROS, RNS, and RSS fulfil their signaling role is the post-translational modification of proteins. To identify possible functions of H2S in nodule development and senescence, we used the tag-switch method to quantify changes in the persulfidation profile of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) nodules at different developmental stages. Proteomic analyses indicate that persulfidation plays a regulatory role in plant and bacteroid metabolism and senescence. The effect of a H2S donor on nodule functioning and on several proteins involved in ROS and RNS homeostasis was also investigated. Our results using recombinant proteins and nodulated plants support a crosstalk among H2S, ROS and RNS, a protective function of persulfidation on redox-sensitive enzymes, and a beneficial effect of H2S on symbiotic nitrogen fixation. We conclude that the general decrease of persulfidation levels observed in plant proteins of aging nodules is one of the mechanisms that disrupt redox homeostasis leading to senescence.

[Imaging findings of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma in minor salivary glands].

PURPOSE: To summarize the CT and MR imaging features of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma(Ca-ex-PA) in minor salivary gland, and analyze the correlation between various features and pathological classification. METHODS: Forty-three patients with Ca-ex-PA in minor salivary gland were collected. The CT and MRI findings were retrospectively analyzed and correlated with their pathological types. Fisher's exact test was used to analyze the correlation between various imaging features (tumor morphology, boundary, internal structure, bone invasion, cervical lymph node metastasis) and pathological types with SPSS 25.0 software package. RESULTS: Among the 43 patients with Ca-ex-PA, 83.7%(36/43) of the tumors were lobulated; 81.4%(35/43) showed cystic degeneration or necrosis, with heterogeneous enhancement. Coarse calcification or mixed calcification was found in 37.2%(16/43), 25.6%(11/43) had compressive absorption of adjacent bone. 75%(12/16) of type Ⅰ/Ⅱ tumors had regular morphology (round or oval), and 77.8%(21/27) of type Ⅲ tumors had irregular morphology, 93.8%(15/16) of type Ⅰ/Ⅱ tumors had well-defined margin and 66.7%(18/27) of type Ⅲ tumors had ill-defined margin. Osteolytic bone resorption occurred in 59.3%(16/27) of type Ⅲ tumors. The average maximum diameter of type Ⅰ/Ⅱ tumors was significantly shorter than that of type Ⅲ(P＜0.05). Fisher's exact test showed the characteristics of tumor morphology, boundary and osteolytic bone resorption were related to pathological grouping(P＜0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Most Ca-ex-PA in minor salivary glands is characterized by lobular and heterogeneous enhanced neoplasm on CT and MR imaging. A round or oval tumor with well-defined margin usually correlates with typeⅠ and Ⅱ, contrarily, an irregular mass with ill-defined margin and osteolytic bone destruction usually correlates with type Ⅲ. Combining the three characteristics of morphology, boundary and osteolysis is more helpful to distinguish type Ⅰ/Ⅱ and type Ⅲ tumors.

Activation of UBEC2 by transcription factor MYBL2 affects DNA damage and promotes gastric cancer progression and cisplatin resistance.

Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 C (UBE2C) plays a carcinogenic role in gastric cancer (GC); yet, its role in cisplatin (DDP) resistance in GC is enigmatic. This study sought to probe into the impact of UBE2C on DDP resistance in GC and its concrete molecular mechanism in GC progression. Bioinformatics analysis was used to analyze differentially expressed mRNAs and predict upstream regulatory molecules in GC. Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to detect the expression of UBE2C and MYB proto-oncogene like 2 (MYBL2). Dual luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were used to verify the binding relationship. Cell counting kit-8 was used to detect cell viability and calculate IC50 values. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle. Comet assay was used to detect DNA damage. Western blot was used to detect the expression of DNA loss-related proteins (γ-H2AX, ATM/p-ATM). The knockdown of highly expressed UBE2C in GC cell lines could reduce cell viability, induce G2/M arrest, induce apoptosis, and promote DNA damage and DDP sensitivity. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that the substantially upregulated MYBL2 was an upstream transcription factor in UBE2C. The binding relationship between the UBE2C promoter region and MYBL2 was verified by dual luciferase and ChIP. Overexpression of UBE2C in the rescue experiment was found to reverse the inhibited GC progression and promoted DDP sensitivity brought by the knockdown of MYBL2. In conclusion, the MYBL2/UBE2C regulatory axis may be a potential way to overcome DDP resistance in GC.

Drug-eluting stent and drug-coated balloon for the treatment of de novo diffuse coronary artery disease lesions: A retrospective case series study.

BACKGROUND: The hybrid strategy of a combination of drug-eluting stent (DES) and drug-coated balloon (DCB) is promising for the treatment of de novo diffuse coronary artery disease (CAD). HYPOTHESIS: To investigate the efficacy and functional results of hybrid strategy. METHODS: This case series study included patients treated with a hybrid approach for de novo diffuse CAD between February 2017 and November 2021. Postprocedural quantitative flow ratio (QFR) was used to evaluate the functional results. The primary endpoint was procedural success rate. The secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI) (including peri-procedural MI), and target vessel revascularization. RESULTS: A total of 109 patients with 114 lesions were treated. DES and DCB were commonly used in larger proximal segments and smaller distal segments, respectively. The mean QFR value was 0.9 ± 0.1 and 105 patients (96.3%) had values >0.8 in all the treated vessels. Procedural success was achieved in 106 (97.2%) patients. No cases of cardiac death were reported at a median follow-up of 19 months. Spontaneous MI occurred in three (2.8%) patients and target vessel revascularization in six (5.5%) patients. Estimated 2-year rate of MACE excluding peri-procedural MI was higher in the group with lower QFR value (12.1 ± 5.7% vs. 5.6 ± 4.4%, log-rank p = .035) (cut-off value 0.9). CONCLUSION: Hybrid strategy is a promising approach for the treatment of de novo diffuse CAD. Postprocedural QFR has some implications for prognosis and may be helpful in guiding this approach.

Comparison of Recurrent With First-Time In-Stent Restenosis.

Recurrent in-stent restenosis (Re-ISR) remains a therapeutic challenge. We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment, and long-term outcomes in patients with Re-ISR compared with those with first-time ISR (First-ISR). This retrospective study consecutively enrolled patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ISR in Fuwai Hospital between January 2017 and December 2018. Re-ISR was defined as a second event of ISR after a previous successful treatment of the ISR lesion. The primary outcome was defined as a composite of all-cause death, spontaneous myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization. A total of 2,006 patients (2,154 lesions) with ISR underwent successful PCI were enrolled and categorized into 2 groups: the Re-ISR group (246 patients/259 lesions) and the First-ISR group (1,760 patients/1,895 lesions). During a mean follow-up of 36 months, the primary outcomes occurred in 80 patients (32.5%) in the Re-ISR group and 349 patients (19.3%) in the First-ISR group (p <0.001 by log-rank test), major driven by spontaneous myocardial infarction (4.9% vs 2.7%, p = 0.049) and repeat revascularization (30.1% vs 16.5%, p <0.001). The multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that Re-ISR was independently associated with a higher rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (adjusted hazard ratio 1.88, 95% confidence interval 1.39 to 2.53, p <0.001) and repeated revascularization (adjusted hazard ratio 2.09, 95% confidence interval 1.53 to 2.84, p <0.001). The relation remained consistent after the propensity score analysis. In conclusion, in the present cohort of patients who underwent PCI for ISR, Re-ISR was significantly associated with a higher risk of long-term outcomes than First-ISR.