Engineering High-Tortuosity 3D Gradient Structure and CFD-Assisted Multifield Analysis for Solar Interfacial Evaporation.

Solar interfacial evaporation is a promising method for solving the global shortage of fresh water. While 2D evaporators can efficiently localize solar-converted heat at the thin layer of the water-air interface, 3D solar evaporators can maximize energy reutilization while maintaining effective mass transport ability, few studies are conducted to explore the effect of gradient porosity on evaporation performance. In this study, a multifield assisted strategy based on a gradient 3D structure with high tortuosity is proposed, which creates a thermal field environment for efficient evaporation through high absorption of sunlight and excellent photothermal conversion and uses the gradient structure to optimize the internal pressure field to enhance water evaporation and transport. This hierarchically nanostructured solar absorber, with porosity inhomogeneity-induced pressure gradient and optimized temperature management, is a valuable design idea for manufacturing a more efficient 3D solar evaporator in the field of seawater desalination. Owing to the understanding of optimizing the dimension by various simulation parameters, the evaporation efficiencies of such structures are found to be 165.7%, suppressing the most evaporator. Moreover, it can provide new ideas and references for the fields of mass transfer and thermal management.

Bile metabolites as diagnostic biomarkers for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

It is difficult to directly obtain pathological diagnosis of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA). Analysis of bile in the pCCA microenvironment, based on metabolomics and statistical methods, can help in clinical diagnosis. Clinical information, bile samples, blood liver function, blood CA199, CEA, and other indicators were collected from 33 patients with pCCA and 16 patients with gallstones. Bile samples were analyzed using untargeted metabolomics methods. A combination of multivariate and univariate analyses were used to screen for potential differential metabolites Through Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment and differential metabolite remodeling, we explored changes in the pCCA pathway and potential therapeutic targets. There were significant differences in patient blood TBIL, ALT, AST, TBA, CA19-9, and CEA indices (p < 0.05, |log2(fc)| ≥ 1) between two groups. A significant correlation was found between these different indicators by Spearman's analysis. The clinical parameters were correlated with mass-to-charge ratios of 305 (Positive Ion Mode, POS) and 246 (Negative Ion Mode, NEG) in the metabolic group (|r| ≥ 0.7, P ≤ 10-7). The result of this study indicated that bile untargeted metabolomics combined with statistical analysis techniques may be used for diagnose and treatment of pCCA.

LincRNA ZNF529-AS1 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma via FBXO31 and predicts the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND: Invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still an important reason for poor prognosis. LincRNA ZNF529-AS1 is a recently identified tumour-associated molecule that is differentially expressed in a variety of tumours, but its role in HCC is still unclear. This study investigated the expression and function of ZNF529-AS1 in HCC and explored the prognostic significance of ZNF529-AS1 in HCC. METHODS: Based on HCC information in TCGA and other databases, the relationship between the expression of ZNF529-AS1 and clinicopathological characteristics of HCC was analysed by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and logistic regression. The relationship between ZNF529-AS1 and HCC prognosis was evaluated by Kaplan‒Meier and Cox regression analyses. The cellular function and signalling pathways involved in ZNF529-AS1 were analysed by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. The relationship between ZNF529-AS1 and immunological signatures in the HCC tumour microenvironment was analysed by the ssGSEA algorithm and CIBERSORT algorithm. HCC cell invasion and migration were investigated by the Transwell assay. Gene and protein expression were detected by PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS: ZNF529-AS1 was differentially expressed in various types of tumours and was highly expressed in HCC. The expression of ZNF529-AS1 was closely correlated with the age, sex, T stage, M stage and pathological grade of HCC patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that ZNF529-AS1 was significantly associated with poor prognosis of HCC patients and could be an independent prognostic indicator of HCC. Immunological analysis showed that the expression of ZNF529-AS1 was correlated with the abundance and immune function of various immune cells. Knockdown of ZNF529-AS1 in HCC cells inhibited cell invasion and migration and inhibited the expression of FBXO31. CONCLUSION: ZNF529-AS1 could be a new prognostic marker for HCC. FBXO31 may be the downstream target of ZNF529-AS1 in HCC.

Influencing factors of biliary fistula after radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma: a prospect cohort.

BACKGROUND: Biliary fistula is a common but serious complication after radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. We aimed to evaluate the influencing factors of biliary fistula after radical resection, to provide insights to the clinical treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: Patients undergoing radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma from January 1, 2015 to March 31, 2022 were selected. Patients' personnel characteristics and laboratory test results of patients with and without biliary fistula were collected and compared. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the associated risk factors of biliary fistula. RESULTS: 160 patients undergoing radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma were included, the incidence of postoperative biliary fistulas was 20.63%. There were significant differences in the age, preoperative cholangitis and number of biliary anastomosis between biliary fistula and no biliary fistula patients (all p < 0.05). There were significant differences in the gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) on the first day after surgery, Klebsiella pneumoniae between biliary fistula and no biliary fistula patients (all p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that age ≥ 65 years (OR 2.035, 95%CI 1.131-3.007), preoperative cholangitis (OR 1.584, 95% CI 1.081-2.361), number of biliary anastomosis ≥ 2(OR 2.866, 95%CI 1.942-3.624), GGT on the first day after surgery ≥ 120 U/L (OR 1.823, 95%CI: 1.274-2.906), preoperative bile culture for Klebsiella pneumoniae (OR 3.181, 95%CI: 2.426-3.992) were the risk factors of postoperative biliary fistulas (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There are many independent risk factors for postoperative biliary fistula in patients undergoing radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Clinical medical workers should take early interventions and treatment measures for these high-risk patients to reduce the occurrence of postoperative biliary fistula.

Long non-coding RNA colon cancer-associated transcript 2: role and function in human cancers.

ABSTRACT: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a family of non-protein-coding RNAs that span a length of over 200 nucleotides. Research reports have illustrated that lncRNAs are involved in various cellular processes and that their abnormal expression leads to the occurrence and development of various tumors. Colon cancer-associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) was first reported as an oncogene in colon cancer. LncRNA CCAT2 is abnormally expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, glioma, and other tumors. In tumor tissues, abnormally overexpressed CCAT2 can affect cell proliferation, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, apoptosis, and other biological behaviors through endogenous RNAs mechanisms, various signaling pathways, transcriptional regulation, and other complex mechanisms. Additionally, the overexpression of CCAT2 is also closely related to the tumor size, tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, survival time, and other prognostic factors, suggesting that it is a potential prognostic indicator. This article reviews the biological functions of CCAT2 and its mechanisms of action in tumors from previous studies. In this review, we attempt to provide a molecular basis for future clinical applications of lncRNA CCAT2.

Gastric infiltration of hepatic sarcomatoid carcinoma: A case report and literature review.

Background: Hepatic sarcomatoid carcinoma (HSC) is an extremely rare malignant tumor typically observed in clinical settings. HSC occurrence is predominantly noted in the right lobe and rarely in the left lobe of the liver. This report presents a case of sarcomatoid carcinoma that occurred in the left outer lobe of the liver, which was accompanied by gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GSTs) in the greater curvature of the stomach. In addition, the patient showed late-stage recurrence of HSC in gastric tissues. Case presentation: A 63-year-old man was concomitantly diagnosed with HSC and GST. The main clinical manifestation was fever. Abdominal computer tomography (CT) and ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy at the local hospital revealed the presence of malignant hepatic tumors. The patient approached our hospital for further treatment. The subsequent electronic gastroscopy showed multiple submucosal tumors (SMT) in the stomach. Owing to the absence of multiple metastases in other regions of the body, we performed left hepatic lobe resection with gastric partial resection. The postoperative pathological analysis confirmed the presence of HSC and GST. The patient reported feeling well 1 month after the surgery, and no obvious space-occupying lesions in other areas were noted via imaging examinations. However, 3 months later, the patient presented with pain in the upper left abdomen, and examination revealed cancer recurrence in the stomach. The surgery was repeated, and the patient recovered favorably after the procedure. Unfortunately, the patient died owing to multiple metastatic diseases 4 months after the second surgical procedure. Conclusion: HSC shows no characteristic clinical manifestations and is highly malignant. Surgical intervention is the first treatment of choice for patients with HSC. In cases of sarcomatoid cancer occurring in the left lobe of the liver, it is imperative to exercise strict vigilance against the tumor's invasion of the stomach tissue. This is particularly important when the tumor breaks through the capsule of the liver.