Passive laser power stabilization in a broadband noise spectrum via a second-harmonic generator.

An extremely conspicuous passive power noise stabilization is the first, to the best of our knowledge, discovered in a cavity-enhanced second-harmonic generation (SHG) process. Differing from the SHG as a buffer reservoir, the stronger strength of the nonlinear interaction pushes the power noise suppression level to a higher value and exhibits a broadband noise reduction performance due to the mechanism of dynamic pump suppression in the SHG process. The noise is suppressed to near shot noise limit (SNL) among the kHz to MHz frequency range, accompanied by a maximum noise reduction of 35 dB. A comprehensive demonstration indicates that the nonlinear interaction has no function on the phase noise of fundamental and harmonic waves. A theoretical model is also established that is consistent well with the experimental results. The methodology is beneficial to multiple optical metrology experiments.

Identification of a risk model for prognostic and therapeutic prediction in renal cell carcinoma based on infiltrating M0 cells.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises immune-infiltrating cells that are closely linked to tumor development. By screening and analyzing genes associated with tumor-infiltrating M0 cells, we developed a risk model to provide therapeutic and prognostic guidance in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). First, the infiltration abundance of each immune cell type and its correlation with patient prognosis were analyzed. After assessing the potential link between the depth of immune cell infiltration and prognosis, we screened the infiltrating M0 cells to establish a risk model centered on three key genes (TMEN174, LRRC19, and SAA1). The correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between the risk score and various stages of the tumor immune cycle, including B-cell recruitment. Furthermore, the risk score was positively correlated with CD8 expression and several popular immune checkpoints (ICs) (TIGIT, CTLA4, CD274, LAG3, and PDCD1). Additionally, the high-risk group (HRG) had higher scores for tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) and exclusion than the low-risk group (LRG). Importantly, the risk score was negatively correlated with the immunotherapy-related pathway enrichment scores, and the LRG showed a greater therapeutic benefit than the HRG. Differences in sensitivity to targeted drugs between the HRG and LRG were analyzed. For commonly used targeted drugs in RCC, including axitinib, pazopanib, temsirolimus, and sunitinib, LRG had lower IC50 values, indicating increased sensitivity. Finally, immunohistochemistry results of 66 paraffin-embedded specimens indicated that SAA1 was strongly expressed in the tumor samples and was associated with tumor metastasis, stage, and grade. SAA1 was found to have a significant pro-tumorigenic effect by experimental validation. In summary, these data confirmed that tumor-infiltrating M0 cells play a key role in the prognosis and treatment of patients with ccRCC. This discovery offers new insights and directions for the prognostic prediction and treatment of ccRCC.

Inhibiting mitochondrial citrate shuttling induces hepatic triglyceride deposition in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) through lipid anabolic remodeling.

The solute carrier family 25 member 1 (Slc25a1)-dependent mitochondrial citrate shuttle is responsible for exporting citrate from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm for supporting lipid biosynthesis and protein acetylation. Previous studies on Slc25a1 concentrated on pathological models. However, the importance of Slc25a1 in maintaining metabolic homeostasis under normal nutritional conditions remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the mechanism of mitochondrial citrate shuttle in maintaining lipid metabolism homeostasis in male Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). To achieve the objective, we blocked the mitochondrial citrate shuttle by inhibiting Slc25a1 under normal nutritional conditions. Slc25a1 inhibition was established by feeding Nile tilapia with 250 mg/kg 1,2,3-benzenetricarboxylic acid hydrate for 6 weeks or intraperitoneal injecting them with dsRNA to knockdown slc25a1b for 7 days. The Nile tilapia with Slc25a1 inhibition exhibited an obesity-like phenotype accompanied by fat deposition, liver damage and hyperglycemia. Moreover, Slc25a1 inhibition decreased hepatic citrate-derived acetyl-CoA, but increased hepatic triglyceride levels. Furthermore, Slc25a1 inhibition replenished cytoplasmic acetyl-CoA through enhanced acetate pathway, which led to hepatic triglycerides accumulation. However, acetate-derived acetyl-CoA caused by hepatic Slc25a1 inhibition did not activate de novo lipogenesis, but rather modified protein acetylation. In addition, hepatic Slc25a1 inhibition enhanced fatty acids esterification through acetate-derived acetyl-CoA, which increased Lipin1 acetylation and its protein stability. Collectively, our results illustrate that inhibiting mitochondrial citrate shuttle triggers lipid anabolic remodeling and results in lipid accumulation, indicating the importance of mitochondrial citrate shuttle in maintaining lipid metabolism homeostasis.

SD-YOLOv8: An Accurate Seriola dumerili Detection Model Based on Improved YOLOv8.

Accurate identification of Seriola dumerili (SD) offers crucial technical support for aquaculture practices and behavioral research of this species. However, the task of discerning S. dumerili from complex underwater settings, fluctuating light conditions, and schools of fish presents a challenge. This paper proposes an intelligent recognition model based on the YOLOv8 network called SD-YOLOv8. By adding a small object detection layer and head, our model has a positive impact on the recognition capabilities for both close and distant instances of S. dumerili, significantly improving them. We construct a convenient S. dumerili dataset and introduce the deformable convolution network v2 (DCNv2) to enhance the information extraction process. Additionally, we employ the bottleneck attention module (BAM) and redesign the spatial pyramid pooling fusion (SPPF) for multidimensional feature extraction and fusion. The Inner-MPDIoU bounding box regression function adjusts the scale factor and evaluates geometric ratios to improve box positioning accuracy. The experimental results show that our SD-YOLOv8 model achieves higher accuracy and average precision, increasing from 89.2% to 93.2% and from 92.2% to 95.7%, respectively. Overall, our model enhances detection accuracy, providing a reliable foundation for the accurate detection of fishes.

Prognostic and therapeutic model based on disulfidptosis-related genes for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Disulfidptosis, a newly discovered mode of cell death caused by excessive accumulation of intracellular disulfide compounds, is closely associated with tumor development. This study focused on the relationship between disulfidptosis and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Firstly, the characterizations of disulfidptosis-related genes (DRGs) in ccRCC were showed, which included number variation (CNV), single nucleotide variation (SNV), DNA methylation, mRNA expression and gene mutation. Then, the ccRCC samples were classified into three clusters through unsupervised clustering based on DRGs. Survival and pathway enrichment differences were evaluated among the three clusters. Subsequently, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among the three clusters were screened by univariate Cox, LASSO, and multivariate Cox analysis, and five key DEGs were obtained. Based on the five key DEGs, the ccRCC samples were reclassified into two geneclusters and the survival differences and immune cell infiltration between two geneclusters was investigated. In next step, ccRCC samples were divided into two groups according to PCA scores of five key DEGs, namely high PCA score group (HPSG) and low PCA score group (LPSG). On this basis, differences in survival prognosis, immune cell infiltration and correlation with immune checkpoint, as well as differences in sensitivity to targeted drugs were compared between HPSG and LPSG. The expression levels of four immune checkpoints were higher in HPSG than in LPSG, whereas the LPSG was more sensitive to targeted drug therapy than the HPSG. Finally, validation experiments on HDAC4 indicated that HDAC4 could increase the proliferation and colony formation ability of ccRCC cells.

MICAL-L2, as an estrogen-responsive gene, is involved in ER-positive breast cancer cell progression and tamoxifen sensitivity via the AKT/mTOR pathway.

Endocrine treatment, particularly tamoxifen, has shown significant improvement in the prognosis of patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancer. However, the clinical utility of this treatment is often hindered by the development of endocrine resistance. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms driving ER-positive breast cancer carcinogenesis and endocrine resistance is crucial to overcome this clinical challenge. In this study, we investigated the expression of MICAL-L2 in ER-positive breast cancer and its impact on patient prognosis. We observed a significant upregulation of MICAL-L2 expression in ER-positive breast cancer, which correlated with a poorer prognosis in these patients. Furthermore, we found that estrogen-ERß signaling promoted the expression of MICAL-L2. Functionally, our study demonstrated that MICAL-L2 not only played an oncogenic role in ER-positive breast cancer tumorigenesis but also influenced the sensitivity of ER-positive breast cancer cells to tamoxifen. Mechanistically, as an estrogen-responsive gene, MICAL-L2 facilitated the activation of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in ER-positive breast cancer cells. Collectively, our findings suggest that MICAL-L2 could serve as a potential prognostic marker for ER-positive breast cancer and represent a promising molecular target for improving endocrine treatment and developing therapeutic approaches for this subtype of breast cancer.

Laser therapy decreases oral leukoplakia recurrence and boosts patient comfort: a network meta-analysis and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Oral leukoplakia (OLK) is a prevalent precancerous lesion with limited non-pharmacological treatment options. Surgery and various lasers are the mainstay of treatment; however, their relative efficacy and optimal choice remain unclear. This first network meta-analysis compared the effects of different lasers and surgical excision on post-treatment recurrence and comfort in OLK patients. METHODS: We searched four databases for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to April 2023. The primary outcome was post-treatment recurrence, and secondary outcomes included intraoperative hemorrhage and postoperative pain scores. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess the study quality. Meta-analysis and network meta-analysis were employed to determine efficacy and identify the optimal intervention. RESULTS: A total of 11 RCTs including 917 patients and 1138 lesions were included. Er,Cr:YSGG laser treatment showed significantly lower recurrence rates compared to CO2 laser (OR: 0.04; 95% CI: 0.01-0.18), CO2 laser with margin extension (OR: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.01-0.60), Er:YAG laser (OR: 0.10; 95% CI: 0.03-0.37), electrocautery (OR: 0.03; 95% CI: 0.00-0.18), and standard care (OR: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.02-0.33). Er,Cr:YSGG laser also ranked the best for reducing recurrence, followed by standard care and CO2 laser combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT). Er:YAG and Er:Cr:YSGG lasers minimized bleeding and pain, respectively. None of the interventions caused severe adverse effects. CONCLUSION: For non-homogeneous OLK, Er:YAG, Er:Cr:YSGG, and CO2 laser combined with PDT offer promising alternatives to surgical excision, potentially reducing recurrence and improving patient comfort. Further high-quality RCTs are necessary to confirm these findings and determine the optimal laser-PDT combination for OLK treatment.

A comprehensive review of oxygen vacancy modified photocatalysts: synthesis, characterization, and applications.

Photocatalytic technology is a novel approach that harnesses solar energy for efficient energy conversion and effective pollution abatement, representing a rapidly advancing field in recent years. The development and synthesis of high-performance semiconductor photocatalysts constitute the pivotal focal point. Oxygen vacancies, being intrinsic defects commonly found in metal oxides, are extensively present within the lattice of semiconductor photocatalytic materials exhibiting non-stoichiometric ratios. Consequently, they have garnered significant attention in the field of photocatalysis as an exceptionally effective means for modulating the performance of photocatalysts. This paper provides a comprehensive review on the concept, preparation, and characterization methods of oxygen vacancies, along with their diverse applications in nitrogen fixation, solar water splitting, CO2 photoreduction, pollutant degradation, and biomedicine. Currently, remarkable progress has been made in the synthesis of high-performance oxygen vacancy photocatalysts and the regulation of their catalytic performance. In the future, it will be imperative to develop more advanced in situ characterization techniques, conduct further investigations into the regulation and stabilization of oxygen vacancies in photocatalysts, and comprehensively comprehend the mechanism underlying the influence of oxygen vacancies on photocatalysis. The engineering of oxygen vacancies will assume a pivotal role in the realm of semiconductor photocatalysis.

Study on mechanical properties of dual-channel cryogenic 3D printing scaffold for mandibular defect repair.

Mandibular defect repair has always been a clinical challenge, facing technical bottleneck. The new materials directly affect technological breakthroughs in mandibular defect repair field. Our aim is to fabricate a scaffold of advanced biomaterials for repairing of small mandibular defect. Therefore, a novel dual-channel scaffold consisting of silk fibroin/collagen type-I/hydroxyapatite (SCH) and polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite (PCL/HA) was fabricated by cryogenic 3D printing technology with double nozzles. The mechanical properties and behaviors of the dual-channel scaffold were investigated by performing uniaxial compression, creep, stress relaxation, and ratcheting experiments respectively. The experiments indicated that the dual-channel scaffold was typical non-linear viscoelastic consistent with cancellous tissue; the Young's modulus of this scaffold was 60.1 kPa. Finite element analysis (FEA) was employed performing a numerical simulation to evaluate the implantation effect in mandible. The stress distribution of the contact area between scaffold and defect was uniform, the maximum Mises stress of cortical bone and cancellous bone in defect area were 54.520 MPa and 3.196 MPa, and the maximum displacement of cortical bone and cancellous bone in defect area were 0.1575 mm and 0.1555 mm respectively, which distributed in the incisor region. The peak maximum Mises stress experienced by the implanted scaffold was 3.128 × 10-3 MPa, and the maximum displacement was 6.453 × 10-2 mm distributed near incisor area. The displacement distribution of the scaffold was consistent with that of cortical and cancellous bone. The scaffold recovered well when the force applied on it disappeared. Above all, the dual-channel scaffold had excellent bio-mechanical properties in implanting mandible, which provides a new idea for the reconstruction of irregular bone defects in the mandible and has good clinical development prospects.

Gradient oxygen doping triggered a microscale built-in electric field in CdIn2S4 for photoelectrochemical water splitting.

Construction of a built-in electric field has been identified as an attractive improvement strategy for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting by facilitating the carrier extraction from the inside to the surface. However, the promotion effect of the electric field is still restrained by the confined built-in area. Herein, we construct a microscale built-in electric field via gradient oxygen doping. The octahedral configuration of the synthesized CdIn2S4 (CIS) provides a structural basis, which enables the subsequent oxygen doping to reach a depth of ∼100 nm. Accordingly, the oxygen-doped CIS (OCIS) photoanode exhibits a microscale built-in electric field with band bending. Excellent PEC catalytic activity with a photocurrent density of 3.69 mA cm-2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE is achieved by OCIS, which is 3.1 times higher than that of CIS. Combining the results of thorough characterization and theoretical calculations, accelerating migration and separation of charge carriers have been determined as the reasons for the improvement. Meanwhile, the recombination risk at the doping centers has also been reduced to the minimum via optimal experiments. This work provides a new-generation idea for constructing a built-in electric field from the view point of bulky configuration towards PEC water splitting.

Changes in surgical mortality during COVID-19 pandemic by patients' race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status among US older adults: a quasi-experimental event study model.

OBJECTIVES: To examine changes in the 30-day surgical mortality rate after common surgical procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic and investigate whether its impact varies by urgency of surgery or patient race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. DESIGN: We used a quasi-experimental event study design to examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical mortality rate, using patients who received the same procedure in the prepandemic years (2016-2019) as the control, adjusting for patient characteristics and hospital fixed effects (effectively comparing patients treated at the same hospital). We conducted stratified analyses by procedure urgency, patient race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status (dual-Medicaid status and median household income). SETTING: Acute care hospitals in the USA. PARTICIPANTS: Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65-99 years who underwent one of 14 common surgical procedures from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2020. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 30-day postoperative mortality rate. RESULTS: Our sample included 3 620 689 patients. Surgical mortality was higher during the pandemic, with peak mortality observed in April 2020 (adjusted risk difference (aRD) +0.95 percentage points (pp); 95% CI +0.76 to +1.26 pp; p<0.001) and mortality remained elevated through 2020. The effect of the pandemic on mortality was larger for non-elective (vs elective) procedures (April 2020: aRD +0.44 pp (+0.16 to +0.72 pp); p=0.002 for elective; aRD +1.65 pp (+1.00, +2.30 pp); p<0.001 for non-elective). We found no evidence that the pandemic mortality varied by patients' race and ethnicity (p for interaction=0.29), or socioeconomic status (p for interaction=0.49). CONCLUSIONS: 30-day surgical mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic peaked in April 2020 and remained elevated until the end of the year. The influence of the pandemic on surgical mortality did not vary by patient race and ethnicity or socioeconomic status, indicating that once patients were able to access care and undergo surgery, surgical mortality was similar across groups.

Magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 study on adsorption of methyl orange on nanoparticles.

Magnetic core-shell Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel method. Based on the characterization and experimental results, the adsorbent was found to have an average particle size of approximately 120 nm, a pore size range of 2-5 nm and superparamagnetic properties. It exhibited electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions during adsorption of methyl orange (MO). The adsorption of MO on the magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles exhibited pseudo-second-order kinetics, the adsorption process is a spontaneous endothermic adsorption process, which conforms to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. he maximum amount of MO was adsorbed at pH = 2, T = 45 °C and t = 30 min, and the highest adsorption capacity was 182.503 mg/g; The unit adsorption capacity of the Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles still reached 83% of the original capacity after 5 cycles, so the material was reusable and met the requirements of environmental protection. This study reveals the great potential of magnetic mesoporous nanoparticles for removal of dyes from wastewater.

Research progress on mechanisms of ischemic stroke: Regulatory pathways involving Microglia.

Microglia, as the intrinsic immune cells in the brain, are activated following ischemic stroke. Activated microglia participate in the pathological processes after stroke through polarization, autophagy, phagocytosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, apoptosis, and necrosis, thereby influencing the injury and repair following stroke. It has been established that polarized M1 and M2 microglia exhibit pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects, respectively. Autophagy and phagocytosis in microglia following ischemia are dynamic processes, where moderate levels promote cell survival, while excessive responses may exacerbate neurofunctional deficits following stroke. Additionally, pyroptosis and ferroptosis in microglia after ischemic stroke contribute to the release of harmful cytokines, further aggravating the damage to brain tissue due to ischemia. This article discusses the different functional states of microglia in ischemic stroke research, highlighting current research trends and gaps, and provides insights and guidance for further study of ischemic stroke.

Anomalous Pressure Response of Temperature-Induced Spin Transition and a Pressure-Induced Spin Transition in Two-Dimensional Hofmann Coordination Polymers.

Spin transition (ST) compounds have been extensively studied because of the changes in rich physicochemical properties accompanying the ST process. The study of ST mainly focuses on the temperature-induced spin transition (TIST). To further understand the ST, we explore the pressure response behavior of TIST and pressure-induced spin transition (PIST) of the 2D Hofmann-type ST compounds [Fe(Isoq)2M(CN)4] (Isoq-M) (M = Pt, Pd, Isoq = isoquinoline). The TISTs of both Isoq-Pt and Isoq-Pd compounds exhibit anomalous pressure response, where the transition temperature (T1/2) exhibits a nonlinear pressure dependence and the hysteresis width (ΔT1/2) exhibits a nonmonotonic behavior with pressure, by the synergistic influence of the intermolecular interaction and the distortion of the octahedral coordination environment. And the distortion of the octahedra under critical pressures may be the common behavior of 2D Hofmann-type ST compounds. Moreover, ΔT1/2 is increased compared with that before compression because of the partial irreversibility of structural distortion after decompression. At room temperature, both compounds exhibit completely reversible PIST. Because of the greater change in mechanical properties before and after ST, Isoq-Pt exhibits a more abrupt ST than Isoq-Pd. In addition, it is found that the hydrostatic properties of the pressure transfer medium (PTM) significantly affect the PIST due to their influence on spin-domain formation.

Repair of full-thickness articular cartilage defects with a 3DP-anchored three-phase complex.

Introduction: To repair cartilage defect as well as the calcified cartilage layer (CCL) and bone tissue, there is need to fabricate a three-phase complex that mimics the natural cartilage tissue. Materials and methods: SF/Col-Ⅱ/HA scaffolds were constructed by low-temperature 3D printing, and to prepare a three-phase complex. The microstructure were showed using a SEM image analysis program. To observe collagen and glycosaminoglycan expression and analyze morphometric parameters, HE staining was performed to reveal new cartilage. Immunohistochemical were performed to investigate the collagen content and defect repair status in the new cartilage group in vitro and vivo. Results: Physical and biochemical properties and biocompatibility of three-phase complex met the requirements of constructing tissue-engineered cartilage. The OD values increased gradually at different time points. With increasing culture time, the OD values showed an upward trend. The HE and immunohistochemical staining results showed that new cartilage had formed at the defect and new cartilage formation occurred during in vivo repair. Conclusion: 3DP-anchored three-phase complexes have good physical and biochemical properties and biocompatibility and thus represent an alternative cartilage tissue engineering material.

Association between patient-surgeon gender concordance and mortality after surgery in the United States: retrospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patient-surgeon gender concordance is associated with mortality of patients after surgery in the United States. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Acute care hospitals in the US. PARTICIPANTS: 100% of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65-99 years who had one of 14 major elective or non-elective (emergent or urgent) surgeries in 2016-19. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality after surgery, defined as death within 30 days of the operation. Adjustments were made for patient and surgeon characteristics and hospital fixed effects (effectively comparing patients within the same hospital). RESULTS: Among 2 902 756 patients who had surgery, 1 287 845 (44.4%) had operations done by surgeons of the same gender (1 201 712 (41.4%) male patient and male surgeon, 86 133 (3.0%) female patient and female surgeon) and 1 614 911 (55.6%) were by surgeons of different gender (52 944 (1.8%) male patient and female surgeon, 1 561 967 (53.8%) female patient and male surgeon). Adjusted 30 day mortality after surgery was 2.0% for male patient-male surgeon dyads, 1.7% for male patient-female surgeon dyads, 1.5% for female patient-male surgeon dyads, and 1.3% for female patient-female surgeon dyads. Patient-surgeon gender concordance was associated with a slightly lower mortality for female patients (adjusted risk difference -0.2 percentage point (95% confidence interval -0.3 to -0.1); P<0.001), but a higher mortality for male patients (0.3 (0.2 to 0.5); P<0.001) for elective procedures, although the difference was small and not clinically meaningful. No evidence suggests that operative mortality differed by patient-surgeon gender concordance for non-elective procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Post-operative mortality rates were similar (ie, the difference was small and not clinically meaningful) among the four types of patient-surgeon gender dyads.

Inhibition of mitochondrial fatty acid ß-oxidation activates mTORC1 pathway and protein synthesis via Gcn5-dependent acetylation of Raptor in zebrafish.

Pharmacological inhibition of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (FAO) has been clinically used to alleviate certain metabolic diseases by remodeling cellular metabolism. However, mitochondrial FAO inhibition also leads to mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activation-related protein synthesis and tissue hypertrophy, but the mechanism remains unclear. Here, by using a mitochondrial FAO inhibitor (mildronate or etomoxir) or knocking out carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1, we revealed that mitochondrial FAO inhibition activated the mTORC1 pathway through general control nondepressible 5-dependent Raptor acetylation. Mitochondrial FAO inhibition significantly promoted glucose catabolism and increased intracellular acetyl-CoA levels. In response to the increased intracellular acetyl-CoA, acetyltransferase general control nondepressible 5 activated mTORC1 by catalyzing Raptor acetylation through direct interaction. Further investigation also screened Raptor deacetylase histone deacetylase class II and identified histone deacetylase 7 as a potential regulator of Raptor. These results provide a possible mechanistic explanation for the mTORC1 activation after mitochondrial FAO inhibition and also bring light to reveal the roles of nutrient metabolic remodeling in regulating protein acetylation by affecting acetyl-CoA production.

Cardiac-to-adipose axis in metabolic homeostasis and diseases: special instructions from the heart.

Adipose tissue is essential for maintaining systemic metabolic homeostasis through traditional metabolic regulation, endocrine crosstalk, and extracellular vesicle production. Adipose dysfunction is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The heart is a traditional pump organ. However, it has recently been recognized to coordinate interorgan cross-talk by providing peripheral signals known as cardiokines. These molecules include specific peptides, proteins, microRNAs and novel extracellular vesicle-carried cargoes. Current studies have shown that generalized cardiokine-mediated adipose regulation affects systemic metabolism. Cardiokines regulate lipolysis, adipogenesis, energy expenditure, thermogenesis during cold exposure and adipokine production. Moreover, cardiokines participate in pathological processes such as obesity, diabetes and ischemic heart injury. The underlying mechanisms of the cardiac-to-adipose axis mediated by cardiokines will be further discussed to provide potential therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases and support a new perspective on the need to correct adipose dysfunction after ischemic heart injury.

Short-term efficacy of additional laparoscopic-assisted radical gastrectomy after non-curative endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate short-term efficacy of direct laparoscopic-assisted radical gastrectomy (LAG) versus non-curative endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) plus additional LAG for early gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 286 patients were retrospectively assigned into two groups: direct LAG group (n = 255) and additional LAG (ESD plus LAG, n = 31) group. A 1:2 propensity score matching was performed to equalize relevant confounding factors between two groups for analysis. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients were successfully matched, including 62 in the direct LAG group and 31 in the additional LAG group. A significant (P = 0.013) difference existed in the drainage removal time between the additional LAG and direct LAG group (7 d vs. 6 d). Age, sex, tumor location and surgical approach were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with complications, with age ≥ 60 years (P = 0.002) and total gastrectomy (P = 0.011) as significant independent risk factors. A significant (P = 0.023) difference existed in the surgical time between the early and late groups (193.3 ± 37.6 min vs. 165.5 ± 25.1 min). CONCLUSION: Additional LAG (D1 + lymphadenectomy) after ESD may be safe and effective even though non-curative ESD may prolong the drainage removal time and increase the difficulty of surgery.

Motility of Synthetic Cells from Engineered Lipids.

Synthetic cells are artificial systems that resemble natural cells. Significant efforts have been made over the years to construct synthetic protocells that can mimic biological mechanisms and perform various complex processes. These include compartmentalization, metabolism, energy supply, communication, and gene reproduction. Cell motility is also of great importance, as nature uses elegant mechanisms for intracellular trafficking, immune response, and embryogenesis. In this review, we discuss the motility of synthetic cells made from lipid vesicles and relevant molecular mechanisms. Synthetic cell motion may be classified into surface-based or solution-based depending on whether it involves interactions with surfaces or movement in fluids. Collective migration behaviors have also been demonstrated. The swarm motion requires additional mechanisms for intercellular signaling and directional motility that enable communication and coordination among the synthetic vesicles. In addition, intracellular trafficking for molecular transport has been reconstituted in minimal cells with the help of DNA nanotechnology. These efforts demonstrate synthetic cells that can move, detect, respond, and interact. We envision that new developments in protocell motility will enhance our understanding of biological processes and be instrumental in bioengineering and therapeutic applications.