Exploring the promise of regulator of G Protein Signaling 20: insights into potential mechanisms and prospects across solid cancers and hematological malignancies.

RGS (Regulator of G protein signaling) proteins have long captured the fascination of researchers due to their intricate involvement across a wide array of signaling pathways within cellular systems. Their diverse and nuanced functions have positioned them as continual subjects of scientific inquiry, especially given the implications of certain family members in various cancer types. Of particular note in this context is RGS20, whose clinical relevance and molecular significance in hepatocellular carcinoma we have recently investigated. These investigations have prompted questions into the prevalence of pathogenic mutations within the RGS20 gene and the intricate network of interacting proteins that could contribute to the complex landscape of cancer biology. In our study, we aim to unravel the mutations within the RGS20 gene and the multifaceted interplay between RGS20 and other proteins within the context of cancer. Expanding on this line of inquiry, our research is dedicated to uncovering the intricate mechanisms of RGS20 in various cancers. In particular, we have redirected our attention to examining the role of RGS20 within hematological malignancies, with a specific focus on multiple myeloma and follicular lymphoma. These hematological cancers hold significant promise for further investigation, as understanding the involvement of RGS20 in their pathogenesis could unveil novel therapeutic strategies and treatment avenues. Furthermore, our exploration has extended to encompass the latest discoveries concerning the potential involvement of RGS20 in diseases affecting the central nervous system, thereby broadening the scope of its implications beyond oncology to encompass neurobiology and related fields.

International Trade Reshapes the Decoupling of Emissions from Economic Growth.

Efforts to stabilize the global climate change while also continuing human development depend upon "decoupling" economic growth from fossil fuel CO2 emissions. However, evaluations of such decoupling have typically relied on production-based emissions, which do not account for emissions embodied in international trade. Yet international trade can greatly change emissions accounting and reshape the decoupling between emissions and economic growth. Here, we evaluate decoupling of economic growth from different accounts of emissions in each of the 159 countries and analyze the drivers of decoupling. We find that between 1995 and 2015, although 29 countries exhibited strong decoupling of territorial emissions (growing economies and decreasing emissions), only 19 countries achieved economic growth while their consumption-based emissions decreased. Most developed countries have achieved decoupling of emissions related to domestic goods and services, but have not achieved decoupling of emissions related to imported goods and services. The U-test confirms that the domestic component of consumption-based emissions exhibits a stronger decoupling trend from gross domestic product (GDP) growth than consumption-based emissions, and emissions from imports continue to rise with GDP per capita without a corresponding decline, providing a statistical validation of the decoupling analysis. Moreover, in the countries where economic growth and consumption-based emissions are most decoupled, a key driver is decreasing emissions intensity due to technological progress─and especially reductions in the intensity of imported goods and services. Our results reveal the importance of assessing decoupling using consumption-based emissions; successful decoupling may require international cooperation and coordinated mitigation efforts of trading partners.

A Comparative Study of DC Beads, Callispheres and Multimodal Imaging Nano-Assembled Microspheres Loaded with Irinotecan in Vitro.

Introduction: In recent years, the development of drug-eluting embolization beads that can be imaged has become a hot research topic in regard to meeting clinical needs. In our previous study, we successfully developed nano-assembled microspheres (NAMs) for multimodal imaging purposes. NAMs can not only be visualized under CT/MR/Raman imaging but can also load clinically required doses of doxorubicin. It is important to systematically compare the pharmacokinetics of NAMs with those of commercially available DC Beads and CalliSpheres to evaluate the clinical application potential of NAMs. Methods: In our study, we compared NAMs with two types of drug-eluting beads (DEBs) in terms of irinotecan, drug-loading capacity, release profiles, microsphere diameter variation, and morphological characteristics. Results: Our results indicate that NAMs had an irinotecan loading capacity similar to those of DC Beads and CalliSpheres but exhibited better sustained release in vitro. Conclusion: NAMs have great potential for application in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for the treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastases.

The influence of eight cognitive training regimes upon cognitive screening tool performance in post-stroke survivors: a network meta-analysis.

Background: Traditional meta-analysis offers only direct comparative evidence. The optimal cognitive training for poststroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) remains largely undetermined. Objectives: This study aims to assess and compare the effectiveness of selected cognitive training methods for PSCI patients and to identify and rank the most effective intervention programs. Methods: Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Wanfang Database, and China Biomedical Database for randomized controlled trials up to September 30, 2023. Two researchers independently performed literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. Network meta-analysis was utilized to synthesize the main findings. The primary outcome focused on the intervention's impact on subjective cognitive function, with secondary outcomes including effects on activities of daily living, motor function, and functional independence. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023463282). Results: Fifty eligible randomized controlled trials were identified, revealing eight distinct interventions. These interventions collectively demonstrate efficacy in enhancing cognition. Traditional cognitive training significantly improves overall cognitive function, daily living function, motor function, and functional independence. In Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment, Barthel Index, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and Functional Independence Measure scales, a combination of computer-based and traditional cognitive training outperformed the conventional control group MD = 29.97 (95%CI: 16.3, 44.2), MD = 18.67 (95%CI: 9.78, 27.45), MD = 28.76 (95%CI: 5.46, 51.79) and MD = 42.2 (95%CI: 5.25, 78.99). In the MMSE scale, virtual reality cognitive training combined with traditional training was most effective MD = 8.01 (95%CI: 3.6, 12.4). On the MoCA scale, the combination of exercise and cognitive training showed superior results MD = 6.68 (95%CI: 2.55, 10.78). Only the combined computer-based and traditional cognitive training, as well as traditional cognitive training alone, significantly enhanced functional independence, with no notable differences in other pairwise interventions. Conclusion: The network meta-analysis suggests that augmenting traditional training with other modalities may enhance overall effectiveness. Specifically, interventions incorporating computer-based cognitive training appear to surpass other methods in improving cognition, daily living function, motor skills, and functional independence. The findings of this network meta-analysis provide evidence-based guidance for clinical decision-making. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier in PROSPERO (CRD42023463282).

Rare case of simultaneous occurrence of chronic neutrophil leukemia and T lymphoblastic lymphoma: case report and literature review.

Chronic neutrophil leukemia (CNL) is a rare and life-threatening disease. Cases of CNL combined with lymphoma are rare. Here, we report a case of CNL with T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL/LBL) in a 28-year-old male. After a regimen of ruxolitinib, VICLP (Vincristine, Idarubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Prednisone, Peg-asparaginase) regimen, high-dose cytarabine, and methotrexate regimens, the patient's bone marrow condition partially resolved. However, when the disease relapsed four months later, despite attempts with selinexor, venetoclax, and CAG(aclarubicin hydrochloride, Algocytidine, Granulocyte Stimulating Factor) chemotherapy, the leukocytes and peripheral blood primitive cells reduced, but the bone marrow did not achieve remission. This pathogenesis may be related to microenvironmental immune escape under prolonged inflammatory stimulation and gene disruption affecting protein function due to colony-stimulating factor 3 receptor gene (CSF3R) mutations. For this type of disease, early intervention may delay disease progression.

An important oversight in WHO diagnostic classification: chronic myeloid leukemia with PML::RARA fusion clone.

Not available.

Identification of a Novel 16.8Kb Deletion of the α-Globin Gene Cluster by Third-Generation Sequencing.

α-thalassemia major (α-TM) often causes Hb Bart's (c4) hydrops fetalis and severe obstetric complications in the mother. Step-wise screening for couples at risk of having offspring(s) affected by α-TM is the efficient prevention method but some rare genotypes of thalassemia cannot be detected. A 32-year-old male with low HbA2 (2.4%) and mild anemia was performed real-time PCR-based multicolor melting curve analysis (MMCA) because his wife was -SEA deletion carrier. The result of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) suggested the existence of -SEA deletion in the proband. A novel deletion of the α-globin gene cluster was found using self-designed MLPA probes combined with longer PCR, which was further accurately described to be 16.8Kb (hg38, Chr16:1,65,236-1,82,113) deletion by the third-generation sequencing. A fragment ranging from 1,53,226 to 1,54,538(GRch38/hg38) was identified which suggested the existence of the homologous recombination event. The third-generation sequencing is accurate and efficient in obtaining accurate information for complex structural variations.

[Association between dietary fat intake and risk of polycystic ovary syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between dietary fat intake and the risk of polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS). METHODS: PCOS patients treated in a tertiary hospital in Anhui Province from October 2021 to October 2022 were selected as the case group, and non-PCOS patients treated in the hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. A total of 262 subjects were included in the study, 131 were included in the case group and 131 in the control group. A semi-quantitative dietary frequency questionnaire was used to investigate the dietary intake in the past year, and the daily intake of various fatty acids and the ratio of fatty acid energy supply were calculated according to the food intake. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between dietary fat intake and the risk of PCOS. RESULTS: The dietary intakes of total fat, fatty acid, saturated fatty acid and monounsaturated fatty acid in PCOS patients were higher than those in control group(P>0.05), and there was statistical significance in daily intakes of eicosapentaenoic acid between two groups(P<0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors such as long-term residence, occupation, family per capita monthly income, menstrual cycle regularity, menstrual volume, and weight loss experience, Logistic regression analysis showed that the ratio of fat supply to energy was positively correlated with the risk of PCOS(OR=1.622, 95%CI 1.237-2.127). The energy supply ratio of monosaturated fatty acids(OR=0.597, 95%CI 0.373-0.955) and polyunsaturated fatty acids(OR=0.585, 95%CI 0.372-0.921) were negatively correlated with the risk of PCOS(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The energy supply ratio of fat was positively correlated with the risk of PCOS, while the energy supply ratio of monosaturated fatty acids and the energy supply ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids were negatively correlated with the risk of PCOS.

Peripheral nerve-derived Sema3A promotes osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells through the Wnt/ß-catenin/Nrp1 positive feedback loop.

Sensory nerves play a crucial role in maintaining bone homeostasis by releasing Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A). However, the specific mechanism of Sema3A in regulation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) during bone remodelling remains unclear. The tibial denervation model was used and the denervated tibia exhibited significantly lower mass as compared to sham operated bones. In vitro, BMMSCs cocultured with dorsal root ganglion cells (DRGs) or stimulated by Sema3A could promote osteogenic differentiation through the Wnt/ß-catenin/Nrp1 positive feedback loop, and the enhancement of osteogenic activity could be inhibited by SM345431 (Sema3A-specific inhibitor). In addition, Sema3A-stimulated BMMSCs or intravenous injection of Sema3A could promote new bone formation in vivo. To sum up, the coregulation of bone remodelling is due to the ageing of BMMSCs and increased osteoclast activity. Furthermore, the sensory neurotransmitter Sema3A promotes osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs via Wnt/ß-catenin/Nrp1 positive feedback loop, thus promoting osteogenesis in vivo and in vitro.

Buffer Chain Model for Understanding Crystallization Competition in Conjugated Polymers.

It remains challenging to comprehensively understand the packing models of conjugated polymers, in which side chains play extremely critical roles. The side chains are typically flexible and non-conductive and are widely used to improve the polymer solubility in organic solutions. Herein, a buffer chain model is proposed to describe link between conjugated backbone and side chains for understanding the relationship of crystallization competition of conductive conjugated backbones and non-conductive side chains. A longer buffer chain is beneficial for alleviating such crystallization competition and further promoting the spontaneous packing of conjugated backbones, resulting in enhanced charge transport properties. Our results provide a novel concept for designing conjugated polymers towards ordered organization and enhanced electronic properties and highlight the importance of balancing the competitive interactions between different parts of conjugated polymers.

Statistical Genomics Analysis of Simple Sequence Repeats from the Paphiopedilum Malipoense Transcriptome Reveals Control Knob Motifs Modulating Gene Expression.

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are found in nonrandom distributions in genomes and are thought to impact gene expression. The distribution patterns of 48 295 SSRs of Paphiopedilum malipoense are mined and characterized based on the first full-length transcriptome and comprehensive transcriptome dataset from 12 organs. Statistical genomics analyses are used to investigate how SSRs in transcripts affect gene expression. The results demonstrate the correlations between SSR distributions, characteristics, and expression level. Nine expression-modulating motifs (expMotifs) are identified and a model is proposed to explain the effect of their key features, potency, and gene function on an intra-transcribed region scale. The expMotif-transcribed region combination is the most predominant contributor to the expression-modulating effect of SSRs, and some intra-transcribed regions are critical for this effect. Genes containing the same type of expMotif-SSR elements in the same transcribed region are likely linked in function, regulation, or evolution aspects. This study offers novel evidence to understand how SSRs regulate gene expression and provides potential regulatory elements for plant genetic engineering.

"Loop-Neurorrhaphy Technique for Preventing Bone Resorption and Preserving Lower Lip Sensation in Mandibular Reconstruction using Vascularized Iliac Bone Flap: A Single-Center Randomized Clinical Trial".

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate whether using an innervated vascularized iliac bone flap could effectively prevent bone resorption and maintain sensory function in the lower lip. METHODS: In the innervated group, the deep circumflex iliac artery and recipient vessels were anastomosed, with simultaneous microanastomosis of ilioinguinal nerve, mental nerve and inferior alveolar nerve. Conversely, the control group underwent solely vascular anastomosis. CT was utilized to assess bone quality. Sensory recovery of the lower lip was recorded using two-point discrimination and current perception threshold testing. RESULTS: The study comprised a total of 40 subjects, with each group accounting for 20 participants, equally distributed in terms of gender. Hounsfield unit loss was significantly lower in the innervated group (13.26±8.65 %) as compared to the control group (37.98±8.60 %) (P < 0.001). Moreover, two-point discrimination values were lower in the innervated group (15.11±8.39 mm) when compared to the control group (21.44±7.24 mm) (P = 0.02). The current perception threshold values for the innervated group were 176.19 ± 31.89, 64.21 ± 19.23, and 42.29 ± 18.96 in 2kHz, 250Hz, and 5Hz respectively, while in the control group, the current perception threshold values were 204.47 ± 36.99, 82.26 ± 27.29, and 58.89 ± 25.38 in 2kHz, 250Hz, and 5Hz (P =0.02, 0.02, and 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The innervated vascularized iliac bone flap represents a safe and effective novel approach to preserving lower lip sensation and preventing bone resorption through functional mandibular reconstruction.

Diagnostics of Tuberculosis with Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Based Field-Effect Transistors.

Tuberculosis (TB) is still threatening millions of people's lives, especially in developing countries. One of the major factors contributing to the ongoing epidemic of TB is the lack of a fast, efficient, and inexpensive diagnostic strategy. In this work, we developed a semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-based field-effect transistor (FET) device functionalized with anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen 85B antibody (Ab85B) to detect the major M. tuberculosis-secreted antigen 85B (Ag85B). Through optimizing the device fabrication process by evaluating the mass of the antibody and the concentration of the gating electrolyte, our Ab85B-SWCNT FET devices achieved the detection of the Ag85B spiked in phosphate-buffered saline (calibration samples) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.05 fg/mL. This SWCNT FET biosensor also showed good sensing performance in biological matrices including artificial sputum and can identify Ag85B in serum after introducing bovine serum albumin (BSA) into the blocking layer. Furthermore, our BSA-blocked Ab85B-SWCNT FET devices can distinguish between TB-positive and -negative clinical samples, promising the application of SWCNT FET devices in point-of-care TB diagnostics. Moreover, the robustness of this SWCNT-based biosensor to the TB diagnosis in blood serum was enhanced by blocking SWCNT devices directly with a glutaraldehyde cross-linked BSA layer, enabling future applications of these SWCNT-based biosensors in clinical testing.

In-situ registration subtraction image segmentation algorithm for spatiotemporal visualization of copper adsorption onto corn stalk-derived pellet biochar by micro-computed tomography.

The non-homogeneous structure and high-density ash composition of biochar matrix pose significant challenges in characterizing the dynamic changes of heavy metal adsorption onto biochar with micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT). A novel in-situ registration subtraction image segmentation method (IRS) was developed to enhance micro-CT characterization accuracy. The kinetics of Cu(II) adsorption onto pellet biochar derived from corn stalks were tested. Respectively, the IRS and traditional K-means algorithms were used for image segmentation to the in-situ three-dimensional (3D) visual characterization of the Cu(II) adsorption onto biochar. The results indicated that the IRS algorithm reduced interference from high-density biochar composition, and thus achieved more precise results (R2 = 0.95) than that of K-means (R2 = 0.72). The visualized dynamic migration of Cu(II) from surface adsorption to intraparticle diffusion reflexed the complex mechanism of heavy metal adsorption. The developed Micro-CT method with high generalizability has great potential for studying the process and mechanism of biochar heavy metal adsorption.

Association of fat distribution differences in infertile women with assisted reproductive outcomes: A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impacts of fat distribution on assisted reproductive outcomes in infertile women. METHODS: The study randomly recruited 576 infertile women who underwent assisted reproductive technology treatment at the Reproductive Medicine Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between July and October 2022. Questionnaires and body composition measurements were administered to assess baseline information and fat distribution. The numbers of oocytes, zygotes presenting with two pronuclei (2PN), and available embryos were tracked at the end of the cycle. Multifactorial logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) curve models were used to explore the relationships between fat distribution and reproductive outcomes while controlling for confounding factors. RESULTS: The study found that the participants had a mean age of 30.82 years. The analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the amount of leg body fat mass (LBFM) and the distribution of reproductive outcomes. However, there was no significant correlation between the level of visceral fat and reproductive outcomes. After taking confounding factors into account, the multifactorial regression analysis showed that the total body fat mass and the number of oocytes (odds ratio (OR) 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84-0.99), 2PN (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.84-0.99), and embryos available for transfer (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.82-0.99) were negatively correlated. RCS modeling revealed a linear dose-response relationship between LBFM and assisted reproductive outcomes. CONCLUSION: Fat distribution varies among infertile women, and higher amounts of fat are associated with poorer assisted reproductive outcomes.

Pretreatment with long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists improved pregnancy outcomes after hysteroscopic multiple polypectomies: A retrospective study of 660 frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the reproductive pregnancy outcomes of pretreatment with long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) plus hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with HRT-only cycles, and investigate differences between single polypectomy and multiple polypectomies, and between one or two doses of GnRH-a. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study on patients undergoing polypectomy who underwent frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) from March 2018 to May 2019. They were divided into GnRH-a pretreatment and HRT-only groups. Each group was divided into single polypectomy or multiple polypectomies (in a single hysteroscopic session) subgroups. Clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate (LBR) were the main outcomes. The effect of GnRH-a dosage was further analysed. RESULTS: There were 212 GnRH-a pretreatment cases (45 single and 167 multiple polyps) and 448 HRT-only cases (228 single and 220 multiple polyps). The LBR of the GnRH-a pretreatment group (53.3%) was significantly higher than the HRT group (43.3%; P = 0.016). Logistic regression analysis showed that GnRH-a pretreatment significantly affected the LBR (odds ratio, OR 1.470, 95% confidence interval, Cl 1.046-2.065; P = 0.026). In the multiple polypectomy subgroup, the LBR with GnRH-a pretreatment was higher than with HRT-only (54.5% vs 43.6%; P = 0.034). However, the LBR was not different between the respective single polypectomy subgroups (48.9% vs 43.0%; P = 0.466). For patients with multiple polyps, two GnRH-a pretreatments produced a higher LBR than a single GnRH-a pretreatment (62.7% vs 47.8%), but without significant difference (P = 0.055). CONCLUSION: GnRH-a pretreatment improved the LBR for FET cycles after hysteroscopic multiple polypectomies, independent of dose.

Assessing the Role of BN-Embedding Position in B2N2-Perylenes.

Incorporating heteroatoms can effectively modulate the molecular optoelectronic properties. However, the fundamental understanding of BN doping effects in BN-embedded polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is underexplored, lacking rational guidelines to modulate the electronic structures through BN units for advanced materials. Herein, a concise synthesis of novel B2N2-perylenes with BN doped at the bay area is achieved to systematically explore the doping effect of BN position on the photophysical properties of PAHs. The shift of BN position in B2N2-perylenes alters the π electron conjugation, aromaticity and molecular rigidness significantly, achieving substantially higher electron transition abilities than those with BN doped in the nodal plane. It is further clarified that BN position dominates the photophysical properties over BN orientation. The revealed guideline here may apply generally to novel BN-PAHs, and aid the advancement of BN-PAHs with highly-emissive performance.

Multivariate Machine Learning Models of Nanoscale Porosity from Ultrafast NMR Relaxometry.

Nanoporous materials are of great interest in many applications, such as catalysis, separation, and energy storage. The performance of these materials is closely related to their pore sizes, which are inefficient to determine through the conventional measurement of gas adsorption isotherms. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry has emerged as a technique highly sensitive to porosity in such materials. Nonetheless, streamlined methods to estimate pore size from NMR relaxometry remain elusive. Previous attempts have been hindered by inverting a time domain signal to relaxation rate distribution, and dealing with resulting parameters that vary in number, location, and magnitude. Here we invoke well-established machine learning techniques to directly correlate time domain signals to BET surface areas for a set of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) imbibed with solvent at varied concentrations. We employ this series of MOFs to establish a correlation between NMR signal and surface area via partial least squares (PLS), following screening with principal component analysis, and apply the PLS model to predict surface area of various nanoporous materials. This approach offers a high-throughput, non-destructive way to assess porosity in c.a. one minute. We anticipate this work will contribute to the development of new materials with optimized pore sizes for various applications.

STOmicsDB: a comprehensive database for spatial transcriptomics data sharing, analysis and visualization.

Recent technological developments in spatial transcriptomics allow researchers to measure gene expression of cells and their spatial locations at the single-cell level, generating detailed biological insight into biological processes. A comprehensive database could facilitate the sharing of spatial transcriptomic data and streamline the data acquisition process for researchers. Here, we present the Spatial TranscriptOmics DataBase (STOmicsDB), a database that serves as a one-stop hub for spatial transcriptomics. STOmicsDB integrates 218 manually curated datasets representing 17 species. We annotated cell types, identified spatial regions and genes, and performed cell-cell interaction analysis for these datasets. STOmicsDB features a user-friendly interface for the rapid visualization of millions of cells. To further facilitate the reusability and interoperability of spatial transcriptomic data, we developed standards for spatial transcriptomic data archiving and constructed a spatial transcriptomic data archiving system. Additionally, we offer a distinctive capability of customizing dedicated sub-databases in STOmicsDB for researchers, assisting them in visualizing their spatial transcriptomic analyses. We believe that STOmicsDB could contribute to research insights in the spatial transcriptomics field, including data archiving, sharing, visualization and analysis. STOmicsDB is freely accessible at https://db.cngb.org/stomics/.