Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy for initially unresectable locally advanced colon cancer: short-term outcomes of an open-label, single-centre, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is commonly used to downstage the tumor in locally advanced colon cancer (LACC) and improve the R0 resection rate. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) is the standard treatment for locally advanced rectal and esophageal cancers, but its benefits in LACC remain poorly understood. This study aimed to compare the effects and safety of NACRT and NACT on R0 resection and survival rates in initially unresectable LACC. Methods: This was an open-label, single-center, randomized, controlled trial conducted between May 11, 2019 and May 30, 2022. Forty-five patients with initially unresectable LACC were randomly allocated to the NACT (control, n = 20) or NACRT (research, n = 25) group. The NACT group received XELOX (oxaliplatin 100-130 mg/m2, qd, d1, every 3 weeks; and capecitabine 1000 mg/m2, bid, d1-d14, every 3 weeks) for 4 cycles. The NACRT group, in addition to chemotherapy, received daily irradiation (GTV 45-50 Gy/25 F; CTV 42.5-45 Gy/25 F). Surgery was scheduled 6-12 weeks after neoadjuvant treatment and adjuvant chemotherapy was administered if the patient developed resectable LACC. The primary endpoint was the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate. The secondary outcomes included the 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and R0 resection rates. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03970694). Findings: In short-term outcome analysis, NACRT significantly improved the R0 resection rate (80% for NACRT vs. 20% for NACT, P < 0.001). The NACRT and NACT groups had a 3-year OS of 87.6% and 75% (P = 0.037) and a 3-year PFS of 76% and 45% (P = 0.049), respectively. The 5-year OS was not reached. In the NACRT group, no local or regional recurrence was observed in patients who underwent surgery during the follow-up period, compared to two patients in the NACT group. Both NACT and NACRT were well tolerated, with no significant differences in severe adverse events. The most commonly observed grade 3-4 AE was myelosuppression (39% for NACRT and 47% for NACT, P = 0.609). No grade 5 AEs were observed between the two groups. Interpretation: Adding radiation to NACT increased the R0 resection rate, prolonged the PFS, and potentially improved OS in selected patients with initially unresectable LACC. The trial findings indicate that this approach is safe, feasible, and may confer a survival benefit. Funding: This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82373213 to Dr Gao, 82202952 to Dr Wang); and the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (2023A1515010290 to Dr Chang). Funding sources were not involved in the study design, data collection, analysis and interpretation, writing of the report, or decision to submit the article for publication.

A case report of nasal myiasis caused by Musca domestica in a patient with respiratory failure.

Nasal myiasis is a nasal infestation caused by myiasis, a parasitic disease affecting the nasal cavity. It is a rare condition. The nasal cavity is in close proximity to the sinuses, eyes, and cranial cavity. If the fly larvae migrate into this location, it may result in significant complications. The prompt and appropriate removal of maggots and the administration of an efficacious treatment can effectively prevent further deterioration of the disease. In this case study, we present the case of a 55-year-old woman who was admitted to the intensive care unit with severe respiratory failure. On the fourth day following admission, the patient remained unconscious, and several white larvae emerged from the nasal cavity. Through identification, the larvae were determined to be Musca domestica larvae. Subsequently, saline irrigation was performed under nasal endoscopy, and anti-inflammatory therapy was administered to the patient to prevent intracranial infection. Following treatment, the patient's symptoms were effectively managed, and the prognosis remained favorable until the 1-month follow-up. This case report presents a literature review of the reported cases of nasal myiasis caused by M. domestica and discusses the susceptibility factors and treatment modalities for nasal myiasis.

A tellurium-based small compound ameliorates tumor metastasis by downregulating heparanase expression.

Tellurium is a rare element, and ammonium trichloro (dioxoethylene-o,o') tellurate (AS101) is the most bioactive molecule among several synthetic tellurium compounds. AS101 was found to be immunomodulatory and can modulate types of cytokines. However, the effect of AS101 on tumor metastasis remains unclear. Heparanase, an endo-glucuronidase, cleaves heparin sulfate side chains of proteoglycans on the cell surface, further leading to the degradation of the extracellular matrix. Heparanase also releases angiogenic factors in the extracellular matrix, is overexpressed in tumor cells, and promotes tumor metastasis and angiogenesis. In this study, we investigated the effect of AS101 in 4T1 and CT26 cells, especially heparanase. Heparanase expression was downregulated in 4T1 and CT26 cells after treatment with AS101 in vitro. The protein level involved in the protein kinase-B/mammalian target of rapamycin (AKT/mTOR) signaling pathway also declined. Cell migration assays revealed the inhibitory effect of AS101 on migration. The results of this study indicate that AS101 inhibits tumor migration by downregulating heparanase through the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and has positive effects in vivo.

The Diagnostic and Therapeutic Value of Anti CCP Antibodies and Double Stranded DNA in Rhupus Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: There have been only few reports on Rhupus syndrome with severe visceral involvement. Moreover, there was little consensus regarding its treatment. Belimumab is one of the options for treating this disease. For patients with clinical symptoms and elevated levels of anti CCP antibodies and anti-double stranded DNA antibodies, and it suggests Rhupus syndrome. After effective treatment, the decrease in levels of anti CCP antibodies and anti-double stranded DNA (ds-DNA) antibodies can effectively delay the progression of the disease and protect target organs. METHODS: We used a chemiluminescence instrument, (Yahuilong; Shenzhen, China), to measure the changes in CCP and dsDNA before and after treatment. RESULTS: Prior to treatment, the patient presented with symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Her laboratory tests showed dsDNA (214 IU/mL) and CCP level of ˃ 3,000 U/mL. After treatment with belimumab, the clinical symptoms were significantly relieved, and the patient's CCP IgG level decreased to 263.5 U/mL. A blood test found that her anti-dsDNA was negative. CONCLUSIONS: CCP and dsDNA can serve as indicators for the diagnosis and treatment of Rhupus syndrome.

Fasudil attenuates syncytin-1-mediated activation of microglia and impairments of motor neurons and motor function in mice.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease. Syncytin-1 (Syn), an envelope glycoprotein encoded by the env gene of the human endogenous retrovirus-W family, has been resorted to be highly expressed in biopsies from the muscles from ALS patients; however, the specific regulatory role of Syn during ALS progression remains uncovered. In this study, C57BL/6 mice were injected with adeno-associated virus-overexpressing Syn, with or without Fasudil administration. The Syn expression was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry analysis. The histological change of anterior tibial muscles was determined by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Qualitative ultrastructural analysis of electron micrographs obtained from lumbar spinal cords was carried out. Serum inflammatory cytokines were assessed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay and motor function was recorded using Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scoring, climbing test and treadmill running test. Immunofluorescence and western blot assays were conducted to examine microglial- and motor neurons-related proteins. Syn overexpression significantly caused systemic inflammatory response, muscle tissue lesions, and motor dysfunction in mice. Meanwhile, Syn overexpression promoted the impairment of motor neuron, evidenced by the damaged structure of the neurons and reduced expression of microtubule-associated protein 2, HB9, neuronal nuclei and neuron-specific enolase in Syn-induced mice. In addition, Syn overexpression greatly promoted the expression of CD16/CD32 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (M1 phenotype markers), and reduced the expression of CD206 and arginase 1 (M2 phenotype markers). Importantly, the above changes caused by Syn overexpression were partly abolished by Fasudil administration. This study provides evidence that Syn-activated microglia plays a pivotal role during the progression of ALS.

Prediction of lymphovascular invasion of gastric cancer based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography radiomics.

Background: Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is a significant risk factor for lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer (GC) and is closely related to the prognosis and recurrence of GC. This study aimed to establish clinical models, radiomics models and combination models for the diagnosis of GC vascular invasion. Methods: This study enrolled 146 patients with GC proved by pathology and who underwent radical resection of GC. The patients were assigned to the training and validation cohorts. A total of 1,702 radiomic features were extracted from contrast-enhanced computed tomography images of GC. Logistic regression analyses were performed to establish a clinical model, a radiomics model and a combined model. The performance of the predictive models was measured by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: In the training cohort, the age of LVI negative (-) patients and LVI positive (+) patients were 62.41 ± 8.41 and 63.76 ± 10.08 years, respectively, and there were more male (n = 63) than female (n = 19) patients in the LVI (+) group. Diameter and differentiation were the independent risk factors for determining LVI (-) and (+). A combined model was found to be relatively highly discriminative based on the area under the ROC curve for both the training (0.853, 95% CI: 0.784-0.920, sensitivity: 0.650 and specificity: 0.907) and the validation cohorts (0.742, 95% CI: 0.559-0.925, sensitivity: 0.736 and specificity: 0.700). Conclusions: The combined model had the highest diagnostic effectiveness, and the nomogram established by this model had good performance. It can provide a reliable prediction method for individual treatment of LVI in GC before surgery.

An overview of systematic reviews of acupuncture for Parkinson's disease.

Background: Many systematic reviews (SRs) have reported the efficacy of acupuncture in improving Parkinson's disease (PD), but the quality of evidence is unknown. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively summarize and objectively evaluate the evidence of acupuncture for PD. Methods: Seven databases were searched to retrieve SRs on the acupuncture for PD. Two reviewers independently completed literature retrieval, screening, and data extraction. The methodological quality, risk of bias (RoB), evidence quality of the included SRs were assessed by the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2), the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews (ROBIS), the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tool. Results: A total of 24 SRs were included. According to AMSTAR 2, 6 (25%) were rated as high quality, 6 (25%) were rated as moderate quality, and 12 (50%) were rated as very low quality. The application of the ROBIS tool showed that 12 (25%) SRs were at low risk of bias. The results of GRADE showed that 8 (7.62%) outcomes provided high quality evidence, 23 (21.9%) outcomes provided moderate quality evidence, 42 (40%) outcomes provided low quality evidence, and 32 (30.48%) outcomes provided very low quality evidence. Conclusion: The overview indicates that acupuncture shows promise as a treatment for PD, although the evidence is limited and inconclusive due to methodological flaws and the heterogeneity of existing studies. Future research should focus on fully reporting methodological details and following review guidelines to produce more reliable and consistent evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture for PD. Systematic review registration: https://inplasy.com, identifier INPLASY202480049.

Tanshinone IIA Inhibits the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Unfolded Protein Response by Activating the PPARα/FGF21 Axis to Ameliorate Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a critical stage in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Tanshinone IIA (TIIA) is a tanshinone extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza; due to its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant biological activities, it is commonly used for treating cardiovascular and hepatic diseases. A NASH model was established by feeding mice a methionine and choline-deficient (MCD) diet. Liver surface microblood flow scanning, biochemical examination, histopathological examination, cytokine analysis through ELISA, lipidomic analysis, transcriptomic analysis, and Western blot analysis were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of TIIA on NASH. The results showed that TIIA effectively reduced lipid accumulation, fibrosis, and inflammation and alleviated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Lipidomic analysis revealed that TIIA normalized liver phospholipid metabolism in NASH mice. A KEGG analysis of the transcriptome revealed that TIIA exerted its effect by regulating the PPAR signalling pathway, protein processing in the ER, and the NOD-like receptor signalling pathway. These results suggest that TIIA alleviates NASH by activating the PPARα/FGF21 axis to negatively regulate the ER stress-induced unfolded protein response (UPR).

Oncological characteristics, treatments and prognostic outcomes in MMR-deficient colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most prevalent cancer globally. It's recognized that the molecular subtype of CRC, characterized by mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), plays a critical role in determining appropriate treatment strategies. This review examines the current molecular classifications, focusing on dMMR/MSI-H CRC and its subtypes: Lynch syndrome (LS), Lynch-like syndrome (LLS), and sporadic cases. Despite advances in understanding of these genetic backgrounds, clinical trials have not conclusively differentiated the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors among these subgroups. Therefore, while this review details the molecular characteristics and their general implications for treatment and prognosis, it also highlights the limitations and the need for more refined clinical studies to ascertain tailored therapeutic strategies for each subtype. Furthermore, this review summarizes completed and ongoing clinical studies, emphasizing the importance of developing treatments aligned more closely with molecular profiles. By discussing these aspects, the review seeks to provide a comprehensive analysis of oncological characteristics, presenting a detailed understanding of their implications for treatment and prognosis in dMMR/MSI-H CRC.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma involving chronic difficult-to-heal wounds: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a malignant tumor that originates from the lymphoid tissues and can potentially affect numerous organs within the body. Among these, the skin stands out as one of the primary sites affected by NHL, often presenting with multiple extra-nodal manifestations. In this report, we present an unusual case of NHL involving chronic wounds in the lower extremities that were difficult to heal. The scars were successfully treated using radiotherapy in combination with extended excision debridement and peroneal artery perforator flap grafting, resulting in satisfactory outcomes. CASE SUMMARY: A 19-year-old male patient presented with ulceration of the skin on the left calf near the ankle accompanied by purulent discharge. Subsequent pathologic biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of NHL (extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type). Initial treatment comprised local radiotherapy and wound care; however, the wound exhibited prolonged non-healing. Consequently, the patient underwent a series of interventions including radiotherapy, wound enlargement excision debridement, and peroneal artery perforator flap grafting. Ultimately, successful healing was achieved with favorable postoperative outcomes characterized by good texture of the flap without any signs of rupture or infection. CONCLUSION: The combination of radiotherapy, wound enlargement excision debridement, and peroneal artery perforator flap grafting may present a favorable treatment modality for chronic non-healing lower leg wounds resulting from NHL.

Formation processes and mechanisms of a fault-controlled colluvial landslide in the Qinling-Daba Mountains, China.

Faults play a crucial role in shaping the formation and damage patterns of landslides in the mountainous region, particularly in Qinling-Daba (Qinba) area in China. On 6 October 2022, following a 4-day rainfall event totaling 221.5 mm, a landslide occurred in Hanwang Town, Shaanxi Province. The left boundary of the landslide coincided with a fault, which influence the formation and movement development of the landslide. To further understand and quantified the formation process and damage mechanism of the landslide, a comprehensive study was conducted, incorporating field investigations, local rainfall data, and various methods including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), numerical simulations, and laboratory test. The results indicate that fault dictate the formation of the Lijiaping landslide by influencing the mechanical strength of the rock mass and the catchment topography in the landslide area. Due to fault, the rock mass in the landslide area is high fragmentation, with a softening coefficient of about 0.52. Weathering resulted in numerous residual and slope sediments in the landslide area, providing ample material for the landslide. Meanwhile, the fault activity led to a wedge-shaped topography in the landslide area, with an average Terrain Wetness Index (TWI) of 3.43, significantly higher than the Hanwang Township average of 1.47. This creates a hydrogeological structure favorable for landslides. Numerical simulations revealed that the maximum velocity of the landslide reached 5.05 m/s and the maximum displacement was 53.18 m, both occurring in the central part of the landslide. These findings offer crucial scientific insights for understanding and preventing similar geological hazards.

Integrated analysis of remote sensing with meteorological and health data for allergic rhinitis forecasting in Tianjin.

Long time series of vegetation monitoring can be carried out by remote sensing data, the level of urban greening is objectively described, and the spatial characteristics of plant pollen are indirectly understood. Pollen is the main allergen in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Meteorological factors affect the release and diffusion of pollen. Therefore, studying of the complex relationship between meteorological factors and allergic rhinitis is essential for effective prevention and treatment of the disease. In this study, we leverage remote sensing data for a comprehensive decade-long analysis of urban greening in Tianjin, which exhibits an annual increase in vegetative cover of 0.51 per annum, focusing on its impact on allergic rhinitis through changes in pollen distribution. Utilizing high-resolution imagery, we quantify changes in urban Fractional Vegetation Coverage (FVC) and its correlation with pollen types and allergic rhinitis cases. Our analysis reveals a significant correlation between FVC trends and pollen concentrations, with a surprising value of 0.71, highlighting the influence of urban greenery on allergenic pollen levels. We establish a robust connection between the seasonal patterns of pollen outbreaks and allergic rhinitis consultations, with a noticeable increase in consultations during high pollen seasons. our findings indicate a higher allergenic potential of herbaceous compared to woody vegetation. This nuanced understanding underscores the importance of pollen sensitivity, alongside concentration, in driving allergic rhinitis incidents. Utilizing a Generalized Linear Model, significant features influencing the number of visits for allergic rhinitis (P < 0.05) were identified. Both GLM and LSTM models were employed to forecast the visitation volumes for rhinitis during the spring and summer-autumn of 2022. Upon validation, it was found that the R² values between the simulated and actual values for both GLM and LSTM models surpassed the 95% confidence threshold. Moreover, the R² values for the summer-autumn seasons (GLM: 0.56, LSTM: 0.72) were higher than those for spring (GLM: 0.22, LSTM: 0.47). Comparing the errors between the simulated and actual values of GLM and LSTM models, LSTM exhibited higher simulation precision in both spring and summer-autumn seasons, demonstrating superior simulation performance. Overall, our study pioneers the integration of remote sensing with meteorological and health data for allergic rhinitis forecasting. This integrative approach provides valuable insights for public health planning, particularly in urban settings, and lays the groundwork for advanced, location-specific allergenic pollen forecasting and mitigation strategies.

Oral microbiota diversity in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, nail psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the role played by the oral microbiome in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and its potential implications for disease management and development holds significant importance. With the objective of exploring correlations between the oral microbiota and severe psoriasis, this study involved 72 severe psoriasis patients and 16 healthy individuals, whose clinical manifestations and living habits were carefully recorded. Cutting-edge techniques such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were employed to compare the microbial flora, investigating dynamic changes among severe plaque psoriasis patients, psoriatic arthritis patients and healthy individuals. The findings revealed noteworthy patterns including increased levels of Aggregatibacter in the psoriatic arthritis group, accompanied by a decrease in the level of Prevotella. Moreover, the enrichment o Capnocytandophaga (P = 0.009), Campylobacter (P = 0.0022), and Acetobacter (P = 0.0292) was notably more substantial in the psoriasis group compared to the control group, whereas certain bacterial species such as Bacteroides (P = 0.0049), Muribaculaceae (P = 0.0048) demonstrated decreased enrichment. Additionally, the psoriatic arthritis group exhibited significantly higher levels of Ralstonia, Bifidobacterium and Micromonospora. Based on these findings, it can be inferred that individuals with lower levels of Prevotella and higher levels of Corynebacterium may be more susceptible to psoriasis exacerbation.

Wnt-5a-Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-Like Orphan Receptor 2 Signaling Provokes Metastatic Colonization and Angiogenesis in Renal Cell Carcinoma, and Prunetin Supresses the Axis Activation.

Wnt-5a is a protein encoded by the WNT5A gene and is a ligand for the receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (ROR2). However, its biological impact on clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains unclear. In this study, the prognostic significance of concurrent WNT5A and ROR2 expression levels was observed to predict unfavorable overall survival and disease-specific survival. High Wnt-5a expression was detected in a ccRCC cell line panel but not in HK-2 cells, a normal proximal tubular cell line. Inhibition of DNA methyltransferase by 5-azacytidine in 786-O and Caki-2 cells resulted in Wnt-5a up-regulation, indicating potential epigenetic modification. Furthermore, there was a repression of cell movement in vitro and metastatic colonization in vivo on WNT5A and ROR2 knockdown. Suppressions of angiogenesis in vivo and tubular-like structure formation in endothelial cells in vitro were also observed after silencing WNT5A and ROR2 expression. In addition, alteration in the downstream gene signature of the Wnt-5a-ROR2 signaling was similar to that in metastasis-associated gene 1-ß-catenin axis. Moreover, prunetin treatment reversed the gene signature derived from Wnt-5a-ROR2 signaling activation and to abolish ccRCC cell migration and proliferation. Overall, this study demonstrates the clinical and functional significance of the Wnt-5a-ROR2 axis and identifies prunetin as a potential precision medicine for patients with ccRCC harboring aberrant Wnt-5a-ROR2 signaling pathways.

Effects of Polyphenol-Rich Foods on Lipids and Oxidative Stress Status in Patients with Hyperlipidemia: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Hyperlipidemia has been demonstrated to be an autonomous predictor of numerous cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ailments, and research indicates that polyphenols have preventive and therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia. Nevertheless, the impact of polyphenol-rich foods on blood lipids and oxidative stress status in patients with hyperlipidemia remains inconclusive. Objective: To examine the impact of polyphenol-rich foods on lipid levels and oxidative stress in individuals with hyperlipidemia. Methods: To retrieve papers published from the establishment of the database through October 9, 2023, eight databases were searched: the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, the China Biomedical Literature Database, the Wanfang Database, the China Science and Technology Journal Database, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and the Web of Science. The quality of include studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias in Randomized Trials tool, v2. Results: The study involved 13 surveys encompassing 640 patients diagnosed with hyperlipidemia. The scope of the food surveys included 12 commonly consumed food groups and medicinal and food homologous substances. All 13 studies reported the effects of polyphenol-rich foods on blood lipids, with significant improvements observed in blood lipid levels for 9 types of foods. Eight studies examined the impact on oxidative stress, and six foods demonstrated a significant reduction in oxidative stress levels. The observed effects were found to be influenced by factors such as dosage, duration of intervention, and gender. Conclusion: Foods abundant in polyphenols play a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia by counteracting oxidative stress and regulating metabolic disorders. The confirmation of certain positive effects by several studies notwithstanding, discrepancies in results arise from various factors, necessitating further large-scale, prospective, well-designed randomized controlled studies to address this issue.

A real-world study of tyrosine kinase inhibitors plus anti-PD-1 immunotherapy with or without chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma patients with main portal vein invasion.

BACKGROUND: Although systemic therapies are recommended for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with main portal vein (MPV) invasion and preserved liver function, the outcome is limited. In the real-world, chemoembolization is a commonly used local treatment for advanced HCC. PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the additional chemoembolization treatment yields survival benefits compared to systemic therapy for HCC patients with MPV invasion and preserved liver function (Child-Pugh score ≤ B7) in a real-world study from multiple centers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2020 and December 2022, 91 consecutive HCC patients with MPV invasion who received either systemic medical therapy (i.e., tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) plus anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, S group, n = 43) or in combination with chemoembolization treatment (S-T group, n = 48) from five centers were enrolled in the study. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), and the secondary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS) and treatment response. Adverse events (AEs) related to treatment were also recorded. Survival curves were constructed with the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. The mean number of chemoembolization sessions per patient was 2.1 (range 1-3). The median OS was 10.0 months and 8.0 months in the S-T group and S group, respectively (P = 0.254). The median PFS between the two groups was similar (4.0 months vs. 4.0 months, P = 0.404). The disease control rate between the S-T and S groups were comparable (60.4% vs. 62.8%, P = 0.816). Although no chemoembolization-related deaths occurred, 13 grade 3-4 AEs occurred in the S-T group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the real-world study demonstrated that additional chemoembolization treatment did not yield survival benefits compared to TKIs plus anti-PD-1 immunotherapy for the overall patients with advanced HCC and MPV invasion.

Alleviative effects of C60 fullerene nanoparticles on arsenate transformation and toxicity to Danio rerio.

Widely-used C60 fullerene nanoparticles (C60) result in their release into the aquatic environment, which may affect the distribution and toxicity of pollutants such as arsenic (As), to aquatic organism. In this study, arsenate (As(V)) accumulation, speciation and subcellular distribution was determined in Danio rerio (zebrafish) intestine, head and muscle tissues in the presence of C60. Meanwhile we compared how single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), graphene oxide (GO) and graphene (GN) nanoparticles alter the behaviors of As(V). Results showed that C60 significantly inhibited As accumulation and toxicity in D. rerio, due to a decrease in total As and monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and As(V) species concentrations, a lower relative distribution in the metal-sensitive fraction (MSF). It was attributed that C60 may coat As(V) ion channels and consequently, affect the secretion of digestive enzymes in the gut, favoring As excretion and inhibiting As methylation. Similarly, MWCNTs reduced the species concentration of MMA and As(V) in the intestines, low GSH (glutathione) contents in the intestine. Due to the disparity of other carbon-based nanomaterial morphologies, SWCNTs, GO and GN exhibited the various effects on the toxicity of As(V). In addition, the possible pathway of arsenobetaine (AsB) biosynthesis included migration from the intestine to muscle in D. rerio, with the precursor of AsB likely to be 2-dimethylarsinylacetic acid (DMAA). The results of this study suggest that C60 is beneficial for controlling As(V) pollution and reducing the impact of As(V) biogeochemical cycles throughout the ecosystem.

Design and Evaluation of a Rapid Monolithic Manufacturing Technique for a Novel Vision-Based Tactile Sensor: C-Sight.

Tactile sensing has become indispensable for contact-rich dynamic robotic manipulation tasks. It provides robots with a better understanding of the physical environment, which is a vital supplement to robotic vision perception. Compared with other existing tactile sensors, vision-based tactile sensors (VBTSs) stand out for augmenting the tactile perception capabilities of robotic systems, owing to superior spatial resolution and cost-effectiveness. Despite their advantages, VBTS production faces challenges due to the lack of standardised manufacturing techniques and heavy reliance on manual labour. This limitation impedes scalability and widespread adoption. This paper introduces a rapid monolithic manufacturing technique and evaluates its performance quantitatively. We further develop and assess C-Sight, a novel VBTS sensor manufactured using this technique, focusing on its tactile reconstruction capabilities. Experimental results demonstrate that the monolithic manufacturing technique enhances VBTS production efficiency significantly. Also, the fabricated C-Sight sensor exhibits its reliable tactile perception and reconstruction capabilities, proofing the validity and feasibility of the monolithic manufacturing method.

The efficacy of acupuncture for trigeminal neuralgia: an overview of systematic reviews.

Background: Many systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analysis (MAs) have reported the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN), but the quality of evidence is unknown and therefore needs to be evaluated comprehensively. Methods: Eight electronic databases were searched from their inception until January 5, 2024. The methodological quality, reporting quality, and risk of bias of the included SRs were assessed by the assessment of multiple systematic reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2), the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews (ROBIS) tool, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The quality of evidence for outcome measures was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Results: We identified 13 SRs/MAs met inclusion criteria. According to the results of the AMSTAR-2, six were rated as critically low quality and seven as low quality. According to ROBIS assessment, 8 SRs/MAs were classified as low risk, and 5 SRs/MAs were found to be high risk. The PRISMA report still has some reporting deficiencies in aspects such as protocol and registration, search strategy, risk of bias, additional analyzes and funding. According to the GRADE system, no high-quality evidence was found, 1 was of moderate quality, 4 were of low quality, and 8 were of critical low quality. Conclusion: Based on the evidence collected, acupuncture shows promise as a treatment for PTN patients. However, it is important to note that the included SRs/MAs generally have low methodological quality and evidence quality. Therefore, caution must be exercised when interpreting this conclusion. To enhance future research in this area, it is recommended to adequately report methodological details and adhere to guidelines for conducting SRs/MAs.Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024499280.