Force Feedback Controls Motor Activity and Mechanical Properties of Self-Assembling Branched Actin Networks.

Branched actin networks--created by the Arp2/3 complex, capping protein, and a nucleation promoting factor--generate and transmit forces required for many cellular processes, but their response to force is poorly understood. To address this, we assembled branched actin networks in vitro from purified components and used simultaneous fluorescence and atomic force microscopy to quantify their molecular composition and material properties under various forces. Remarkably, mechanical loading of these self-assembling materials increases their density, power, and efficiency. Microscopically, increased density reflects increased filament number and altered geometry but no change in average length. Macroscopically, increased density enhances network stiffness and resistance to mechanical failure beyond those of isotropic actin networks. These effects endow branched actin networks with memory of their mechanical history that shapes their material properties and motor activity. This work reveals intrinsic force feedback mechanisms by which mechanical resistance makes self-assembling actin networks stiffer, stronger, and more powerful.

CO2 doping of organic interlayers for perovskite solar cells.

In perovskite solar cells, doped organic semiconductors are often used as charge-extraction interlayers situated between the photoactive layer and the electrodes. The π-conjugated small molecule 2,2',7,7'-tetrakis[N,N-di(4-methoxyphenyl)amino]-9,9-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD) is the most frequently used semiconductor in the hole-conducting layer1-6, and its electrical properties considerably affect the charge collection efficiencies of the solar cell7. To enhance the electrical conductivity of spiro-OMeTAD, lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide (LiTFSI) is typically used in a doping process, which is conventionally initiated by exposing spiro-OMeTAD:LiTFSI blend films to air and light for several hours. This process, in which oxygen acts as the p-type dopant8-11, is time-intensive and largely depends on ambient conditions, and thus hinders the commercialization of perovskite solar cells. Here we report a fast and reproducible doping method that involves bubbling a spiro-OMeTAD:LiTFSI solution with CO2 under ultraviolet light. CO2 obtains electrons from photoexcited spiro-OMeTAD, rapidly promoting its p-type doping and resulting in the precipitation of carbonates. The CO2-treated interlayer exhibits approximately 100 times higher conductivity than a pristine film while realizing stable, high-efficiency perovskite solar cells without any post-treatments. We also show that this method can be used to dope π-conjugated polymers.

Enhanced Cycling Stability of All-Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur Battery through Nonconductive Polar Hosts.

All-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs) are promising next-generation battery technologies with a high energy density and excellent safety. Because of the insulating nature of sulfur/Li2S, conventional cathode designs focus on developing porous hosts with high electronic conductivities such as porous carbon. However, carbon hosts boost the decomposition of sulfide electrolytes and suffer from sulfur detachment due to their weak bonding with sulfur/Li2S, resulting in capacity decays. Herein, we propose a counterintuitive design concept of host materials in which nonconductive polar mesoporous hosts can enhance the cycling life of ASSLSBs through mitigating the decomposition of adjacent electrolytes and bonding sulfur/Li2S steadily to avoid detachment. By using a mesoporous SiO2 host filled with 70 wt % sulfur as the cathode, we demonstrate steady cycling in ASSLSBs with a capacity reversibility of 95.1% in the initial cycle and a discharge capacity of 1446 mAh/g after 500 cycles at C/5 based on the mass of sulfur.

Comparison of Short-term and Three-year Oncological Outcomes Between Robotic and Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: A Large Multicenter Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term and long-term outcomes between robotic gastrectomy (RG) and laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for gastric cancer. BACKGROUND: The clinical outcomes of RG over LG have not yet been effectively demonstrated. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 3599 patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical gastrectomy at eight high-volume hospitals in China from January 2015 to June 2019. Propensity score matching was performed between patients who received RG and LG. The primary end point was 3-year disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: After 1:1 propensity score matching, 1034 pairs of patients were enrolled in a balanced cohort for further analysis. The 3-year DFS in the RG and LG was 83.7% and 83.1% ( P =0.745), respectively, and the 3-year overall survival was 85.2% and 84.4%, respectively ( P =0.647). During 3 years of follow-up, 154 patients in the RG and LG groups relapsed (cumulative incidence of recurrence: 15.0% vs 15.0%, P =0.988). There was no significant difference in the recurrence sites between the 2 groups (all P >0.05). Sensitivity analysis showed that RG had comparable 3-year DFS (77.4% vs 76.7%, P =0.745) and overall survival (79.7% vs 78.4%, P =0.577) to LG in patients with advanced (pathologic T2-4a) disease, and the recurrence pattern within 3 years was also similar between the 2 groups (all P >0.05). RG had less intraoperative blood loss, lower conversion rate, and shorter hospital stays than LG (all P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For resectable gastric cancer, including advanced cases, RG is a safe approach with comparable 3-year oncological outcomes to LG when performed by experienced surgeons.

eccDB: a comprehensive repository for eccDNA-mediated chromatin contacts in multi-species.

SUMMARY: We developed the eccDB database to integrate available resources for extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) data. eccDB is a comprehensive repository for storing, browsing, searching, and analyzing eccDNAs from multispecies. The database provides regulatory and epigenetic information on eccDNAs, with a focus on analyzing intrachromosomal and interchromosomal interactions to predict their transcriptional regulatory functions. Moreover, eccDB identifies eccDNAs from unknown DNA sequences and analyzes the functional and evolutionary relationships of eccDNAs among different species. Overall, eccDB offers web-based analytical tools and a comprehensive resource for biologists and clinicians to decipher the molecular regulatory mechanisms of eccDNAs. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: eccDB is freely available at http://www.xiejjlab.bio/eccDB.

Polyamine biosynthesis and eIF5A hypusination are modulated by the DNA tumor virus KSHV and promote KSHV viral infection.

Polyamines are critical metabolites involved in various cellular processes and often dysregulated in cancers. Kaposi's sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus (KSHV), a defined human oncogenic virus, leads to profound alterations of host metabolic landscape to favor development of KSHV-associated malignancies. In our studies, we identified that polyamine biosynthesis and eIF5A hypusination are dynamically regulated by KSHV infection through modulation of key enzymes (ODC1 and DHPS) of these pathways. During KSHV latency, ODC1 and DHPS are upregulated along with increase of hypusinated eIF5A (hyp-eIF5A), while hyp-eIF5A is further induced along with reduction of ODC1 and intracellular polyamines during KSHV lytic reactivation. In return these metabolic pathways are required for both KSHV lytic reactivation and de novo infection. Further analysis unraveled that synthesis of critical KSHV latent and lytic proteins (LANA, RTA) depends on hypusinated-eIF5A. We also demonstrated that KSHV infection can be efficiently and specifically suppressed by inhibitors targeting these pathways. Collectively, our results illustrated that the dynamic and profound interaction of a DNA tumor virus (KSHV) with host polyamine biosynthesis and eIF5A hypusination pathways promote viral propagation, thus defining new therapeutic targets to treat KSHV-associated malignancies.

Long-term oncological outcomes of robotic versus laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer: multicentre cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this multicentre cohort study was to compare the long-term oncological outcomes of robotic gastrectomy (RG) and laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for patients with gastric cancer. METHODS: Patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical gastrectomy by robotic or laparoscopic approaches from 1 March 2010 to 31 December 2018 at 10 high-volume centres in China were selected from institutional databases. Patients receiving RG were matched 1 : 1 by propensity score with patients undergoing LG. The primary outcome was 3-year disease-free survival. Secondary outcomes were overall survival and disease recurrence. RESULTS: Some 2055 patients who underwent RG and 4309 patients who had LG were included. The propensity score-matched cohort comprised 2026 RGs and 2026 LGs. Median follow-up was 41 (i.q.r. 39-58) months for the RG group and 39 (38-56) months for the LG group. The 3-year disease-free survival rates were 80.8% in the RG group and 79.5% in the LG group (log rank P = 0.240; HR 0.92, 95% c.i. 0.80 to 1.06; P = 0.242). Three-year OS rates were 83.9 and 81.8% respectively (log rank P = 0.068; HR 0.87, 0.75 to 1.01; P = 0.068) and the cumulative incidence of recurrence over 3 years was 19.3% versus 20.8% (HR 0.95, 0.88 to 1.03; P = 0.219), with no difference between groups. CONCLUSION: RG and LG in patients with gastric cancer are associated with comparable disease-free and overall survival.

Discovery of novel thiophene-3-carboxamide derivatives as potential VEGFR-2 inhibitors with anti-angiogenic properties.

VEGFR-2 is an attractive target for the development of anti-tumor drugs and plays a crucial role in tumor angiogenesis. This study reports a series of novel thiophene-3-carboxamide derivatives based on PAN-90806 as VEGFR-2 inhibitors, among which compound 14d exhibits excellent anti-proliferative activity against HCT116, MCF7, PC3, and A549 cell lines, and has effective VEGFR-2 inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 191.1 nM. Additionally, CETSA results indicated that VEGFR-2 was a relevant target of compound 14d in the cell lines, and compound 14d could also inhibit VEGFR-2 protein phosphorylation in A549 cell line. Furthermore, compound 14d inhibited colony formation, cell migration, and HUVECs tube formation in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanism by which 14d induced cancer cell death involves blocking the cell cycle, increasing ROS production, inducing apoptosis, and dose-dependently reducing the levels of phosphorylated ERK and MEK. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations had shown that compound 14d could stably bind to the active site of VEGFR-2. These results confirmed that compound 14d might be a promising lead compound for anti-angiogenesis.

Visual outcome of various dose of glucocorticoids treatment in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy- a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The objective of this investigation was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of distinct glucocorticoid therapy dosages in the management of acute nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective, unmasked, and non-randomized study included a total of 85 patients. The patients were categorized into four groups: Group 1 (control) consisted of 15 patients who did not receive glucocorticoids, Group 2 included 16 patients administered with oral prednisone at a dosage of 1 mg/kg/d for 14 days, Group 3 comprised 30 patients who received 250 units of methylprednisolone once daily for 3 days, followed by oral prednisone at a dosage of 1 mg/kg/d for 11 days, and Group 4 encompassed 24 patients who received 500 units of methylprednisolone once daily for 3 days, followed by oral prednisone at a dosage of 1 mg/kg/d for 11 days. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was assessed at baseline and the final follow-up (> 7 days post-treatment). The changes in visual acuity between baseline and the 7-14 day follow-up, as well as between baseline and the concluding appraisal, were employed as metrics for assessing the extent of visual enhancement. RESULTS: No significant differences were noted in the final visual outcomes or in the changes between final visual acuity and baseline across the four groups. In Group 1 (control), the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) remained unchanged during final follow-ups compared to baseline. Conversely, the intervention groups exhibited statistically significant enhancements in BCVA during final follow-up (p = 0.012, p = 0.03, and p = 0.009 for Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4, respectively) when compared to baseline. During the 7-14 day follow-up, there was a significant difference in the changes between baseline BCVA and follow-up BCVA across the groups (p = 0.035). Go a step further by Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, group 4 showed a greater change in vision compared with group1 (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Our study on acute nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) showed no significant final visual outcome differences. Nevertheless, Groups 2, 3, and 4 demonstrated improved best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) during the final follow-up. Notably, a 500-unit dose of methylprednisolone resulted in short-term BCVA enhancement. This suggests potential consideration of 500 units of methylprednisolone for short-term NAION vision improvement, despite its limited long-term impact.

FACT subunit SUPT16H associates with BRD4 and contributes to silencing of interferon signaling.

FACT (FAcilitates Chromatin Transcription) is a heterodimeric protein complex composed of SUPT16H and SSRP1, and a histone chaperone participating in chromatin remodeling during gene transcription. FACT complex is profoundly regulated, and contributes to both gene activation and suppression. Here we reported that SUPT16H, a subunit of FACT, is acetylated in both epithelial and natural killer (NK) cells. The histone acetyltransferase TIP60 contributes to the acetylation of SUPT16H middle domain (MD) at lysine 674 (K674). Such acetylation of SUPT16H is recognized by bromodomain protein BRD4, which promotes protein stability of SUPT16H in both epithelial and NK cells. We further demonstrated that SUPT16H-BRD4 associates with histone modification enzymes (HDAC1, EZH2), and further regulates their activation status and/or promoter association as well as affects the relevant histone marks (H3ac, H3K9me3 and H3K27me3). BRD4 is known to profoundly regulate interferon (IFN) signaling, while such function of SUPT16H has never been explored. Surprisingly, our results revealed that SUPT16H genetic knockdown via RNAi or pharmacological inhibition by using its inhibitor, curaxin 137 (CBL0137), results in the induction of IFNs and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Through this mechanism, depletion or inhibition of SUPT16H is shown to efficiently inhibit infection of multiple viruses, including Zika, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, we demonstrated that depletion or inhibition of SUPT16H also causes the remarkable activation of IFN signaling in NK cells, which promotes the NK-mediated killing of virus-infected cells in a co-culture system using human primary NK cells. Overall, our studies unraveled the previously un-appreciated role of FACT complex in coordinating with BRD4 and regulating IFN signaling in both epithelial and NK cells, and also proposed the novel application of the FACT inhibitor CBL0137 to treat viral infections.

Functional consequences of convergently evolved microscopic skin features on snake locomotion.

The small structures that decorate biological surfaces can significantly affect behavior, yet the diversity of animal-environment interactions essential for survival makes ascribing functions to structures challenging. Microscopic skin textures may be particularly important for snakes and other limbless locomotors, where substrate interactions are mediated solely through body contact. While previous studies have characterized ventral surface features of some snake species, the functional consequences of these textures are not fully understood. Here, we perform a comparative study, combining atomic force microscopy measurements with mathematical modeling to generate predictions that link microscopic textures to locomotor performance. We discover an evolutionary convergence in the ventral skin structures of a few sidewinding specialist vipers that inhabit sandy deserts-an isotropic texture that is distinct from the head-to-tail-oriented, micrometer-sized spikes observed on a phylogenetically broad sampling of nonsidewinding vipers and other snakes from diverse habitats and wide geographic range. A mathematical model that relates structural directionality to frictional anisotropy reveals that isotropy enhances movement during sidewinding, whereas anisotropy improves movement during slithering via lateral undulation of the body. Our results highlight how an integrated approach can provide quantitative predictions for structure-function relationships and insights into behavioral and evolutionary adaptations in biological systems.

Interplay between Local Moment and Itinerant Magnetism in the Layered Metallic Antiferromagnet TaFe1.14Te3.

Two-dimensional antiferromagnets have garnered considerable interest for the next generation of functional spintronics. However, many bulk materials from which two-dimensional antiferromagnets are isolated are limited by their air sensitivity, low ordering temperatures, and insulating transport properties. TaFe1+yTe3 aims to address these challenges with increased air stability, metallic transport, and robust antiferromagnetism. Here, we synthesize TaFe1+yTe3 (y = 0.14), identify its structural, magnetic, and electronic properties, and elucidate the relationships between them. Axial-dependent high-field magnetization measurements on TaFe1.14Te3 reveal saturation magnetic fields ranging between 27 and 30 T with saturation magnetic moments of 2.05-2.12 µB. Magnetotransport measurements confirm that TaFe1.14Te3 is metallic with strong coupling between magnetic order and electronic transport. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements across the magnetic transition uncover a complex interplay between itinerant electrons and local magnetic moments that drives the magnetic transition. We demonstrate the ability to isolate few-layer sheets of TaFe1.14Te3, establishing TaFe1.14Te3 as a potential platform for two-dimensional spintronics.

Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Toxicities Induced by Cancer Therapies and Promising Biomarkers for Their Prediction: A Scoping Review.

AIM: With the advancement of anti-cancer medicine, cardiovascular toxicities due to cancer therapies are common in oncology patients, resulting in increased mortality and economic burden. Cardiovascular toxicities caused by cancer therapies include different severities of cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, myocardial ischaemia, hypertension, and thrombosis, which may lead to left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure. This scoping review aimed to summarise the mechanisms of cardiovascular toxicities following various anti-cancer treatments and potential predictive biomarkers for early detection. METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL databases were searched for original studies written in English related to the mechanisms of cardiovascular toxicity induced by anti-cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and relevant biomarkers. The search and title/abstract screening were conducted independently by two reviewers, and the final analysed full texts achieved the consensus of the two reviewers. RESULTS: A total of 240 studies were identified based on their titles and abstracts. In total, 107 full-text articles were included in the analysis. Cardiomyocyte and endothelial cell apoptosis caused by oxidative stress injury, activation of cell apoptosis, blocking of normal cardiovascular protection signalling pathways, overactivation of immune cells, and myocardial remodelling were the main mechanisms. Promising biomarkers for anti-cancer therapies related to cardiovascular toxicity included placental growth factor, microRNAs, galectin-3, and myeloperoxidase for the early detection of cardiovascular toxicity. CONCLUSION: Understanding the mechanisms of cardiovascular toxicity following various anti-cancer treatments could provide implications for future personalised treatment methods to protect cardiovascular function. Furthermore, specific early sensitive and stable biomarkers of cardiovascular system damage need to be identified to predict reversible damage to the cardiovascular system and improve the effects of anti-cancer agents.

Robotic Gastrectomy Versus Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: A Multicenter Cohort Study of 5402 Patients in China.

OBJECTIVE: A large-scale multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of robotic gastrectomy (RG) and laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for gastric cancer. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: RG is being increasingly used worldwide, but data from large-scale multicenter studies on the short- and long-term oncologic outcomes of RG versus LG are limited. The potential benefits of RG compared with LG for gastric cancer remain controversial. METHODS: Data from eligible patients who underwent RG or LG for gastric cancer of 11 experienced surgeons from 7 centers in China between March 2010 and October 2019 were collected. The RG group was matched 1:1 with the LG group by using propensity score matching. The primary outcome was postoperative complications. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, a well-balanced cohort of 3552 patients was included for further analysis. The occurrence of overall complications (12.6% vs 15.2%, P = 0.023) was lower in the RG group than in the LG group. RG was associated with less blood loss (126.8 vs 142.5 mL, P < 0.001) and more retrieved lymph nodes in total (32.5 vs 30.7, P < 0.001) and in suprapancreatic areas (13.3 vs 11.6, P < 0.001).The long-term oncological outcomes were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this multicenter study demonstrate that RG is a safe and effective treatment for gastric cancer when performed by experienced surgeons, although longer operation time and higher costs are still concerns about RG. This study provides evidence suggesting that RG may represent an alternative surgical treatment to LG.

Enhancing Crystallization in Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells Using Thermally Conductive 2D Boron Nitride Nanosheet Additive.

Controlling crystallization and grain growth is crucial for realizing highly efficient hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this work, enhanced PSC photovoltaic performance and stability by accelerating perovskite crystallization and grain growth via 2D hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanosheet additives incorporated into the active perovskite layer are demonstrated. In situ X-ray scattering and infrared thermal imaging during the perovskite annealing process revealed the highly thermally conductive hBN nanosheets promoted the phase conversion and grain growth in the perovskite layer by facilitating a more rapid and spatially uniform temperature rise within the perovskite film. Complementary structural, physicochemical, and electrical characterizations further showed that the hBN nanosheets formed a physical barrier at the perovskite grain boundaries and the interfaces with charge transport layers, passivating defects, and retarding ion migration. As a result, the power conversion efficiency of the PSC is improved from 17.4% to 19.8%, along with enhanced device stability, retaining ≈90% of the initial efficiency even after 500 h ambient air storage. The results not only highlight 2D hBN as an effective additive for PSCs but also suggest enhanced thermal transport as one of the pathways for improved PSC performance by 2D material additives in general.

Analysis of urethral blood flow by high-resolution laser speckle contrast imaging in a rat model of vaginal distension.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) for monitoring urethral blood flow (UBF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 18 healthy, virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 8-week-old were used. The animals were divided into the sham group (n = 9) and the vaginal distension (VD) group (n = 9). The sham group underwent one catheterization of the vagina without distension and the VD group underwent one VD. Following the VD or sham treatment for one week, LSCI assessment of urethral blood flow was performed during bladder filling and leak point pressure (LPP) process. RESULTS: During the LPP process, in the VD group, the mean LPP was significantly lower than in the sham group (p < 0.05) and the mean UBF level was also significantly lower than in the sham group (p < 0.05) in the LPP condition. The mean relative change of UBF (Δ Flow) was significantly different between the sham group and VD group. The value was 0.646 ± 0.229 and 0.295 ± 0.19, respectively (p < 0.05). During the bladder filling process, the VD group had a significant lower mean UBF level than the sham group under full bladder conditions (p = 0.008). The mean ΔFlow was also significantly lower than in the sham group. The value was 0.115 ± 0.121 and 0.375 ± 0.127, respectively (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: The results confirmed that LSCI was able to determine UBF in female rats. The VD group had lower baseline UBF and lower increases in UBF during bladder filling and LPP process compared with the sham group.

Monolithic integrated MQW-based optoelectronic glucose sensor.

This study presents the development process of a multi-quantum well (MQW)-based optoelectronic integrated device designed for precise glucose concentration measurements. The proposed monolithic device consists of two identical diodes containing InGaN/GaN MQWs, serving as a light emitter (LED) and a photodetector (PD), respectively. The chip is meticulously packaged with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to facilitate exposure to the glucose solution. By monitoring changes in the photocurrent of the PD that detects scattered light of the LED propagating through the sapphire substrate, the chip can accurately reflect alterations in the glucose solution's concentration. The device's uniqueness lies in its ability to achieve this precision without the need for external optical components. The device exhibits a fast response, operating at a sub-second level, and can gauge glucose solutions with concentrations ranging from 5% to 40%. The fabricated optical sensing device showcases appealing characteristics, including compactness, stability, repeatability, and rapid response, making it highly suitable for glucose concentration measurement applications.

Circulating IGF-1 and IGFBP-2 may be biomarkers for risk stratification in patients with acute coronary syndrome: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The involvement of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is rarely studied in clinical practice. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the relationship between IGF-1 and IGFBP-2 concentrations at admission and risk stratification based on the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score in patients with ACS. METHODS AND RESULTS: In all, 304 patients diagnosed with ACS were included in this study. Plasma IGF-1 and IGFBP-2 were measured using commercially available ELISA kits. The TIMI risk score was calculated and the study population was stratified into high (n = 65), medium (n = 138), and low (n = 101) risk groups. Levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-2 were analyzed for their predictive ability of risk stratification based on the TIMI risk scores. Correlation analysis showed that IGF-1 levels were negatively correlated with TIMI risk levels (r = -0.144, p = 0.012), while IGFBP-2 levels were significantly and positively correlated with TIMI risk levels (r = 0.309, p < 0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, IGF-1 (odds ratio [OR]: 0.995; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.990-1.000; p = 0.043) and IGFBP-2 (OR: 1.002; 95%CI: 1.001-1.003; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of high TIMI risk levels. In receiver operating characteristic curves, the area under the curve values for IGF-1 and IGFBP-2 in the prediction of high TIMI risk levels were 0.605 and 0.723, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: IGF-1 and IGFBP-2 levels are excellent biomarkers for risk stratification in patients with ACS, which provides further guidance for clinicians to identify patients at high risk and to lower their risk.

Beyond energy provider: multifunction of lipid droplets in embryonic development.

Since the discovery, lipid droplets (LDs) have been recognized to be sites of cellular energy reserves, providing energy when necessary to sustain cellular life activities. Many studies have reported large numbers of LDs in eggs and early embryos from insects to mammals. The questions of how LDs are formed, what role they play, and what their significance is for embryonic development have been attracting the attention of researchers. Studies in recent years have revealed that in addition to providing energy for embryonic development, LDs in eggs and embryos also function to resist lipotoxicity, resist oxidative stress, inhibit bacterial infection, and provide lipid and membrane components for embryonic development. Removal of LDs from fertilized eggs or early embryos artificially leads to embryonic developmental arrest and defects. This paper reviews recent studies to explain the role and effect mechanisms of LDs in the embryonic development of several species and the genes involved in the regulation. The review contributes to understanding the embryonic development mechanism and provides new insight for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to embryonic developmental abnormalities.

Comparison of robotic-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted natural orifice specimen extraction surgery in short-terms outcomes of middle rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is becoming less invasive as technology advances. Natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) ushered in a new era of minimally invasive techniques. At the same time, NOSES is gaining popularity in the world. With their distinct advantages, surgical robots have advanced the development of NOSES. The aim of current study was to compare the short-term outcomes between robotic-assisted NOSES and laparoscopic-assisted NOSES for the treatment of middle rectal cancer. METHODS: Patients with middle rectal cancer who underwent robotic-assisted or laparoscopic-assisted NOSES at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University between January 2020 and June 2022 had their clinicopathological data collected retrospectively. 46 patients were enrolled in the study: 23 in the robotic group and 23 in the laparoscopic group. Short-term outcomes and postoperative anal function in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the clinicopathological data between the two groups. The robotic group had less intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.04), less postoperative abdominal drainage (p = 0.02), lower postoperative white blood cell counts (p = 0.024) and C-reactive protein levels (p = 0.017), and shorter catheter removal time when compared to the laparoscopic group (p = 0.003). Furthermore, there were no significant difference in mean operative time (159 ± 31 min vs 172 ± 41 min) between the robotic and laparoscopic groups (p = 0.235), but time to naked the rectum (86.4 ± 20.9 min vs. 103.8 ± 31.5 min p = 0.033) and time of digestive tract reconstruction (15.6 ± 3.88 min vs. 22.1 ± 2.81 min p < 0.01) in the robotic group were significantly shorter than laparoscopic group. The robotic group had lower postoperative Wexner scores than the laparoscopic group. CONCLUSIONS: This research reveals that combining a robotic surgical system and NOSES results in superior outcomes, with short-term outcomes preferable to laparoscopic-assisted NOSES.