Current status and influencing factors of test anxiety of senior one students in Yanji, China: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Examining the current situation of test anxiety among first year senior high school students in Yanji City and investigating the factors that contribute to exam anxiety. Methods: Using cluster sampling, a survey was conducted on 1,550 first-year high school students from three high schools in Yanji City in April-May 2023. The survey utilized general information questionnaires, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors of test anxiety. Results: A total of 1,550 first-year high school students were included in the analysis, with a test anxiety occurrence rate of 79.8%. Test anxiety exhibited statistical differences among different genders, ethnicities, family economic levels, frequency of communication with parents, and relationships with parents (with results of 53.44, 10.42, 17.31, 20.42, 31.95, all p < 0.05). Scores of hypochondriasis (Hs), depression (D), psychasthenia (Pt), paranoia (Pa), psychopathic deviate (Pd), schizophrenia (Sc), and hypomania (Ma) in the 10 clinical personality scales were significantly positively correlated. Logistic regression analysis revealed that gender, ethnicity, frequency of communication with parents, and scores of hypochondriasis (Hs), depression (D), psychasthenia (Pt), paranoia (Pa), and hypomania (Ma) in the 10 clinical personality scales were the main influencing factors for test anxiety in first-year high school students (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: The test anxiety level of high school students in Yanji City is relatively high, with variations in test anxiety levels among students of different genders, ethnicities, parental communication styles, and deviant personality traits. It is recommended that schools and teachers should give more consideration to test anxiety among high school students, particularly targeting those with potential risk factors. Parents should also be more attentive to their children's development and advancement, and improve their family education principles.

The efficacy and safety of antiangiogenesis tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with advanced anaplastic thyroid cancer: A meta-analysis of prospective studies.

BACKGROUND: The poor prognosis of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) patients is associated with limited effective therapeutic strategies. Multiple antiangiogenesis tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been applied in later-line treatment of ATC; however, the results reported in clinical trials were controversial. In this study, we reconstructed the patient-level data to pooled-analyze the survival data, responses, and adverse events. METHODS: Online databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL) were searched on September 03, 2023. R software combined with the "metaSurvival" and "meta" packages were used to reconstruct the survival curves and summarize the response rates. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The secondary endpoints were survival rate, objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and treatment-related adverse events. RESULTS: Six prospective clinical trials involving 140 ATC patients were enrolled. Four types of TKIs (imatinib, pazopanib, sorafenib, and lenvatinib) were included. When advanced ATC patients were treated with the TKIs, the median OS was 4.8 months and the median PFS was 2.6 months. The pooled ORR and DCR were 9% and 53%. Hypertension, decreased appetite, rash, and lymphopenia were the most common grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events. CONCLUSION: Mono-anitangiogenesis TKI therapy showed limited improvements in treating advanced ATC patients. Combining antiangiogenesis TKI therapy with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy could be the direction of future studies.

Novel pleuromutilin derivatives conjugated with phenyl-sulfide and boron-containing moieties as potent antibacterial agents against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

In response to the escalating threat of microbial resistance, a series of novel pleuromutilin derivatives, conjugated with phenyl-sulfide and boron-containing moieties, were designed and synthesized. Most derivatives, especially 14b and 16b, demonstrated significant efficacy against Gram-positive bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains, as well as pleuromutilin-resistant strains. Compound 16b showed high stability in the liver microsomes of rats and humans, along with acceptable tolerance in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, compound 16b exhibited promising efficacy in MRSA-infected mouse models. Our data highlight the potential of conjugated pleuromutilin derivatives as valuable agents against drug-resistant bacteria.

Adenosine Monophosphate as a Metabolic Adjuvant Enhances Antibiotic Efficacy against Drug-Resistant Bacterial Pathogens.

Global bacterial infections are on the rise, and drug resistance to bacteria is gradually rendering existing antibiotics ineffective. Therefore, the discovery of new strategies is urgently needed. Cellular metabolism is a key factor in the regulation of bacterial drug resistance, which cannot be separated from the utilization of energetic substances, suggesting that energetic substances may be associated with bacterial drug resistance. In this study, we found that adenosine monophosphate (AMP) can enhance the bactericidal effect of gentamicin against gentamicin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This synergistic effect can be generalized for use with different antibiotics and Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria. We also validated that the mechanism of AMP reversal of antibiotic resistance involves enhancing the proton motive force via the tricarboxylic acid cycle to increase antibiotic uptake. Simultaneously, AMP increases oxidative stress-induced cell death. This study presents a strategy for adopting low-dose antibiotics to control drug-resistant bacteria, which is important for future drug development and bacterial control.

Trends in myopia development among Chinese children and adolescents in Xuzhou during one academic year.

Purpose: This study investigates the prevalence and progression of myopia among primary and secondary school students in Xuzhou City, China, during one academic year. Methods: The study employed a prospective research design and utilized a whole-group sampling method to conduct non-cycloplegic spot photo screenings on 37,938 students from 44 primary and secondary schools in Xuzhou City, China. A one-year study was conducted to gather spherical equivalent refraction (SER), and subsequent analysis was carried out to explore the disparities in myopia prevalence among primary and secondary school students within the same academic year, as well as the progression of myopia. Results: During the 2022 academic year, the overall prevalence of myopia in the first and second semesters was 62.6 and 64.2% respectively, indicating an increasing trend. Particularly in primary school (Grades 1-6), the prevalence of myopia increased with higher grade levels, and significant variations in myopia prevalence were observed mainly in grades 1-3 and 7 (p < 0.05). The incidence rate of myopia in middle school remained stable, while in primary school, there was a positive correlation between myopia incidence and the grade level, with the highest rate of 20.1% in grade 6. Among the myopic population, the median value of spherical equivalent refraction slightly decreased between the two semesters. The proportion of high myopia increased among students in grades 5-8. Conclusion: Our study revealed that within one academic year, the prevalence of myopia and the severity of myopia have significantly increased in Xuzhou City, China, accompanied by an increase in the proportion of high myopia. For different grade levels, we should adopt personalized prevention and control measures, with a particular focus on lower grade levels and students who have just entered a new grade.

Rule-based omics mining reveals antimicrobial macrocyclic peptides against drug-resistant clinical isolates.

Antimicrobial resistance remains a significant global threat, driving up mortality rates worldwide. Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides have emerged as a promising source of novel peptide antibiotics due to their diverse chemical structures. Here, we report the discovery of new aminovinyl-(methyl)cysteine (Avi(Me)Cys)-containing peptide antibiotics through a synergistic approach combining biosynthetic rule-based omics mining and heterologous expression. We first bioinformatically identify 1172 RiPP biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) responsible for Avi(Me)Cys-containing peptides formation from a vast pool of over 50,000 bacterial genomes. Subsequently, we successfully establish the connection between three identified BGCs and the biosynthesis of five peptide antibiotics via biosynthetic rule-guided metabolic analysis. Notably, we discover a class V lanthipeptide, massatide A, which displays excellent activity against gram-positive pathogens, including drug-resistant clinical isolates like linezolid-resistant S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.25 µg/mL. The remarkable performance of massatide A in an animal infection model, coupled with a relatively low risk of resistance and favorable safety profile, positions it as a promising candidate for antibiotic development. Our study highlights the potential of Avi(Me)Cys-containing peptides in expanding the arsenal of antibiotics against multi-drug-resistant bacteria, offering promising drug leads in the ongoing battle against infectious diseases.

Podocyte SIRPα reduction aggravates lupus nephritis via promoting T cell inflammatory responses.

Signal-regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) has recently been found to be highly expressed in podocytes and is essential for maintaining podocyte function. However, its immunoregulatory function in podocytes remains elusive. Here, we report that SIRPα controls podocyte antigen presentation in specific T cell activation via inhibiting spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) phosphorylation. First, podocyte SIRPα under lupus nephritis (LN) conditions is strongly downregulated. Second, podocyte-specific deletion of SIRPα exacerbates renal disease progression in lupus-prone mice, as evidenced by an increase in T cell infiltration. Third, SIRPα deletion or knockdown enhances podocyte antigen presentation, which activates specific T cells, via enhancing Syk phosphorylation. Supporting this, Syk inhibitor GS-9973 prevents podocyte antigen presentation, resulting in a decrease of T cell activation and mitigation of renal disease caused by SIRPα knockdown or deletion. Our findings reveal an immunoregulatory role of SIRPα loss in promoting podocyte antigen presentation to activate specific T cell immune responses in LN.

Catalysts for C-N coupling in urea electrosynthesis under ambient conditions from carbon dioxide and nitrogenous species.

Urea is an indispensable nitrogen-containing organic compound in modern human life. However, the current industrial synthesis of urea involves ammonia, which is produced through the Haber-Bosch process under harsh reaction conditions, causing huge energy consumption and heavy environmental pollution. Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogenous species (N2, NOx- and NO) have achieved significant progress, offering a promising approach for the electrochemical C-N coupling to produce urea under ambient conditions. Urea synthesis driven by renewable electricity represents a suitable alternative to the traditional process, contributing to the goal of carbon neutrality and nitrogen cycles. However, challenges such as low yield rate, poor selectivity and unveiled reaction mechanisms still need to be addressed. This review provides a summary of the latest catalysts utilized in urea electrosynthesis, aiming to provide guidance and prospects for the development of high-performance catalysts.

Discovery of Oral AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Activators for Treating Hyperlipidemia.

Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is proposed to alleviate hyperlipidemia. With cordycepin and N6-(2-hydroxyethyl) adenosine (HEA) as lead compounds, a series of adenosine-based derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated on activation of AMPK. Finally, compound V1 was identified as a potent AMPK activator with the lipid-lowering effect. Molecular docking and circular dichroism indicated that V1 exerted its activity by binding to the γ subunit of AMPK. V1 markedly decreased the serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in C57BL/6 mice, golden hamsters, and rhesus monkeys. V1 was selected as the clinical compound and concluded Phase 1 clinical trials. A single dose of V1 (2000 mg) increased AMPK activation in human erythrocytes after 5 and 12 h of treatment. RNA sequencing data suggested that V1 downregulated expression of genes involved in regulation of apoptotic process, lipid metabolism, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inflammatory response in liver by activating AMPK.

BnaPLDα1-BnaMPK6 Involved in NaCl-Mediated Overcoming of Self-Incompatibility in Brassica napus L.

Self-incompatibility (SI) is an important genetic mechanism exploited by numerous angiosperm species to prevent inbreeding. This mechanism has been widely used in the breeding of SI trilinear hybrids of Brassica napus. The SI responses in these hybrids can be overcome by using a salt (NaCl) solution, which is used for seed propagation in SI lines. However, the mechanism underlying the NaCl-induced breakdown of the SI response in B. napus remains unclear. Here, we investigated the role of two key proteins, BnaPLDα1 and BnaMPK6, in the breakdown of SI induced by NaCl. Pollen grain germination and seed set were reduced in BnaPLDα1 triple mutants following incompatible pollination with NaCl treatment. Conversely, SI responses were partially abolished by overexpression of BnaC05.PLDα1 without salt treatment. Furthermore, we observed that phosphatidic acid (PA) produced by BnaPLDα1 bound to B. napus BnaMPK6. The suppression and enhancement of the NaCl-induced breakdown of the SI response in B. napus were observed in BnaMPK6 quadruple mutants and BnaA05.MPK6 overexpression lines, respectively. Moreover, salt-induced stigmatic reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation had a minimal effect on the NaCl-induced breakdown of the SI response. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the essential role of the BnaPLDα1-PA-BnaMPK6 pathway in overcoming the SI response to salt treatment in SI B. napus. Additionally, our study provides new insights into the relationship between SI signaling and salt stress response. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: A new molecular mechanism underlying the breakdown of the NaCl-induced self-incompatibility (SI) response in B. napus has been discovered. It involves the induction of BnaPLDα1 expression by NaCl, followed by the activation of BnaMPK6 through the production of phosphatidic acid (PA) by BnaPLDα1. Ultimately, this pathway leads to the breakdown of SI. The involvement of the BnaPLDα1-PA-BnaMPK6 pathway in overcoming the SI response following NaCl treatment provides new insights into the relationship between SI signalling and the response to salt stress.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Pharmacological and Nonpharmacological Interventions for Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder.

Objectives: Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is a relatively new diagnosis that comprises severe, nonepisodic irritability and recurrent outbursts of emotional instability in adolescents. This meta-analysis examined the efficacy of the available pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions for DMDD. Methods: Literature searches were conducted in July 2023. To determine relevant articles, 330 abstracts were reviewed, and 39 articles were identified for full review. A random-effects model was used for the meta-analysis, and a subgroup analysis was performed to assess the effects of study design and intervention type. Results: Eleven studies were reviewed, including six pharmacological and five nonpharmacological. Despite high heterogeneity in effects (I2 = 85%), we showed statistically significant improvements in irritability symptoms following intervention. We showed statistically significant enhancements in symptoms of irritability following the intervention. The subgroup analysis revealed that, compared with randomized controlled trials (RCTs), open trials showed significant improvements in irritability. In addition, drug intervention significantly improved irritability compared to nondrug interventions. Atomoxetine (ATX), optimized stimulants, and stimulants combined with other drugs and behavioral therapy effectively improved irritability. Conclusions: With research indicating potential benefits for irritability from a combination of pharmacological interventions and therapy, including ATX, stimulants in conjunction with antipsychotic or antidepressant medications, and cognitive-behavioral techniques such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Children. Future large-scale RCTs are essential to further explore and refine these treatment approaches, especially focusing on the efficacy of combining pharmacological with effective nonpharmacological to improve irritability and overall outcomes in this population.

A simple method to prepare anion exchange membrane by PVA/EVOH/MIDA for acid recovery by diffusion dialysis.

Given the substantial environmental pollution from industrial expansion, environmental protection has become particularly important. Nowadays, anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are widely used in wastewater treatment. With the use of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer, and methyl iminodiacetic acid (MIDA), a series of cross-linked AEMs were successfully prepared using the solvent casting technique, and the network structure was formed in the membranes due to the cross-linking reaction between PVA/EVOH and MIDA. Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to analyze the prepared membranes. At the same time, its comprehensive properties which include water uptake, linear expansion rate, ion exchange capacity, thermal stability, chemical stability, and mechanical stability were thoroughly researched. In addition, diffusion dialysis performance in practical applications was also studied in detail. The acid dialysis coefficient (UH+) ranged from 10.2 to 35.6 × 10-3 m/h. Separation factor (S) value ranged from 25 to 38, which were all larger than that of the commercial membrane DF-120 (UH+: 8.5 × 10-3 m/h, S: 18.5). The prepared membranes had potential application value in acid recovery.

Development of an efficient liposomal DOX delivery formulation for HCC therapy by targeting CK2α.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a digestive tract cancer with high mortality and poor prognosis, especially in China. Current chemotherapeutic drugs lead to poor prognosis, low efficacy, and high side effects due to weak targeting specificity and rapidly formed multidrug resistance (MDR). Based on the previous studies on the doxorubicin (DOX) formulation for cancer targeting therapy, we developed a novel DOX delivery formulation for the targeting chemotherapy of HCC and DOX resistant HCC. HCSP4 was previously screened and casein kinase 2α (CK2α) was predicted as its specific target on HCC cells in our lab. In the study, miR125a-5p was firstly predicted as an MDR inhibiting miRNA, and then CK2α was validated as the target of HCSP4 and miR125a-5p using CK2α-/-HepG2 cells. Based on the above, an HCC targeting and MDR inhibiting DOX delivery liposomal formulation, HCSP4/Lipo-DOX/miR125a-5p was synthesized and tested for its HCC therapeutic efficacy in vitro. The results showed that the liposomal DOX delivery formulation targeted to HCC cells specifically and sensitively, and presented the satisfied therapeutic efficacy for HCC, particularly for DOX resistant HCC. The potential therapeutic mechanism of the DOX delivery formulation was explored, and the formulation inhibited the expression of MDR-relevant genes including ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1, also known as P-glycoprotein), ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 5 (ABCC5), enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), and ATPase Na+/K+ transporting subunit beta 1 (ATP1B1). Our study presents a novel targeting chemotherapeutic drug formulation for the therapy of HCC, especially for drug resistant HCC, although it is primarily and needs further study in vivo, but provided a new strategy for the development of novel anticancer drugs.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with advanced anaplastic thyroid cancer: an effective analysis based on real-world retrospective studies.

Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) contribute to the treatment of patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). Although prospective clinical studies of TKIs exhibit limited efficacy, whether ATC patients benefit from TKI treatment in real-world clinical practice may enlighten future explorations. Therefore, we conducted this effective analysis based on real-world retrospective studies to illustrate the efficacy of TKI treatment in ATC patients. Methods: We systematically searched the online databases on September 03, 2023. Survival curves were collected and reconstructed to summarize the pooled curves. Responses were analyzed by using the "meta" package. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR). Results: 12 studies involving 227 patients were enrolled in the study. Therapeutic strategies included: anlotinib, lenvatinib, dabrafenib plus trametinib, vemurafenib, pembrolizumab plus dabrafenib and trametinib, pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib, pembrolizumab plus trametinib, and sorafenib. The pooled median OS and PFS were 6.37 months (95% CI 4.19-10.33) and 5.50 months (95% CI 2.17-12.03). The integrated ORR and DCR were 32% (95% CI 23%-41%) and 40% (95% CI 12%-74%). Conclusion: In real-world clinical practice, ATC patients could benefit from TKI therapy. In future studies, more basic experiments and clinical explorations are needed to enhance the effects of TKIs in the treatment of patients with ATC.

Lithium Borohydride Nanorods: Self-Assembling Growth and Remarkable Hydrogen Cycling Properties.

Nanostructured metal hydrides with unique morphology and improved hydrogen storage properties have attracted intense interests. However, the study of the growth process of highly active borohydrides remains challenging. Herein, for the first time the synthesis of LiBH4 nanorods through a hydrogen-assisted one-pot solvothermal reaction is reported. Reaction of n-butyl lithium with triethylamine borane in n-hexane under 50 bar of H2 at 40-100 °C gives rise to the formation of the [100]-oriented LiBH4 nanorods with 500-800 nm in diameter, whose growth is driven by orientated attachment and ligand adsorption. The unique morphology enables the LiBH4 nanorods to release hydrogen from ≈184 °C, 94 °C lower than the commercial sample (≈278 °C). Hydrogen release amounts to 13 wt% within 40 min at 450 °C with a stable cyclability, remarkably superior to the commercial LiBH4 (≈9.1 wt%). More importantly, up to 180 °C reduction in the onset temperature of hydrogenation is successfully attained by the nanorod sample with respect to the commercial counterpart. The LiBH4 nanorods show no foaming during dehydrogenation, which improves the hydrogen cycling performance. The new approach will shed light on the preparation of nanostructured metal borohydrides as advanced functional materials.

A multifunctional fluorescent probe for sequential detection of hydrogen sulfide and pH in foodstuffs, living cells and mice.

BACKGROUND: Cancer as a leading cause of premature death worldwide has become a major threat to human health due to the high incidence and mortality. Monitoring tumor markers are reliable and significantly important for early detection of cancers. In complex biological systems, it is of great urgency but still remains challenging to conceive a fluorescent probe with multiple tumor markers detection property. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and pH are two target biomarkers for diagnosis of early cancer. The preparation of a novel probe with H2S and pH dual detection functions is highly anticipated. RESULTS: Herein, a novel sequential detection probe HTPQ-HS for H2S and pH has been developed. In this system, HPQ (2-(2 -hydroxyphenyl)-4(3H)-quinazolinone) structure combined with triphenylamine is applied as the fluorophore, and 2, 4-dinitrophenylsulfonyl group is used as the recognition group. In the presence of H2S, HTPQ-HS is transformed into product HTPQ-OH which shows fluorescence enhancement (29-fold) at 525 nm in less than 4 min and further displays repeatable acid-base responsive ability. HTPQ-HS is able to sequentially response to H2S and pH in living cells and does not react directly with pH. Owing to the low cytotoxicity, HTPQ-HS is able to detect exogenous and endogenous H2S in colon cancer cells and mice, monitor H2S in inflammation model and in foodstuffs. As the environment changes from acidic to alkaline, the fluorescence intensity ratio (I470/I530) of product HTPQ-OH changes remarkably, illustrating the ratiometric fluorescent responsiveness to pH. SIGNIFICANCE AND NOVELTY: A multifunctional fluorescent probe HTPQ-HS for sequential detection of H2S and pH is synthesized. Probe HTPQ-OH realizes the monitoring of dynamic changes in intracellular pH and displays prospective application in security printing. We expect that our work could offer an important guidance on the development of multifunctional fluorescent probes for visualizing H2S and pH in biology and environment.

The Effect of Pixel Design and Operation Conditions on Linear Output Range of 4T CMOS Image Sensors.

We analyze several factors that affect the linear output range of CMOS image sensors, including charge transfer time, reset transistor supply voltage, the capacitance of integration capacitor, the n-well doping of the pinned photodiode (PPD) and the output buffer. The test chips are fabricated with 0.18 µm CMOS image sensor (CIS) process and comprise six channels. Channels B1 and B2 are 10 µm pixels and channels B3-B6 are 20 µm pixels, with corresponding pixel arrays of 1 × 2560 and 1 × 1280 respectively. The floating diffusion (FD) capacitance varies from 10 fF to 23.3 fF, and two different designs were employed for the n-well doping in PPD. The experimental results indicate that optimizing the FD capacitance and PPD design can enhance the linear output range by 37% and 32%, respectively. For larger pixel sizes, extending the transfer gate (TG) sampling time leads to an increase of over 60% in the linear output range. Furthermore, optimizing the design of the output buffer can alleviate restrictions on the linear output range. The lower reset voltage for noise reduction does not exhibit a significant impact on the linear output range. Furthermore, these methods can enhance the linear output range without significantly amplifying the readout noise. These findings indicate that the linear output range of pixels is not only influenced by pixel design but also by operational conditions. Finally, we conducted a detailed analysis of the impact of PPD n-well doping concentration and TG sampling time on the linear output range. This provides designers with a clear understanding of how nonlinearity is introduced into pixels, offering valuable insight in the design of highly linear pixels.

Knocking out FAM20C in pre-osteoblasts leads to up-regulation of osteoclast differentiation to affect long bone development.

Family with sequence similarity 20 member C (FAM20C) is a Golgi casein kinase that phosphorylates extracellularly-secreted regulatory proteins involved in bone development and mineralization, but its specific role in bone development is still largely unknown. In this study, to examine the specific mechanisms that FAM20C influences bone development, we cross-bred Osx-Cre with FAM20Cflox/flox mice to establish a Osx-Cre; FAM20Cflox/flox knockout (oKO) mouse model; FAM20C was KO in pre-osteoblasts. oKO development was examined at 1-10 weeks, in which compared to control FAM20Cflox/flox, they had lower body weights and bone tissue mineralization. Furthermore, oKO had lower bone volume fractions, thickness, and trabecular numbers, along with higher degrees of trabecular separation. These mice also had decreased femoral metaphyseal cartilage proliferation layer, along with thickened hypertrophic layer and increased apoptotic cell counts. Transcriptomic analysis found that differentially-expressed genes in oKO were concentrated in the osteoclast differentiation pathway, in line with increased osteoclast presence. Additionally, up-regulation of osteoclast-related, and down-regulation of osteogenesis-related genes, were identified, in which the most up-regulated genes were signal regulatory protein ß-1 family (Sirpb1a-c) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 13. Overall, FAM20C KO in pre-osteoblasts leads to abnormal long bone development, likely due to subsequent up-regulation of osteoclast differentiation-associated genes.

Relationship between hepatic surgical margins of colorectal cancer liver metastases and prognosis: A review.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health concern, as characterized by its high mortality rate ranking second among all the leading causes of death. The liver serves as the primary site of CRC metastasis, and the occurrence of liver metastasis is a significant contributor to mortality among patients diagnosed with CRC. The survival rate of patients with colorectal liver metastasis has significantly increased with the advancement of comprehensive tumor therapy. However, radical surgery remains the key factor. Since there are frequently multiple liver metastases, which are prone to recurrence after surgery, it is crucial to preserve as much liver parenchyma as possible without affecting the prognosis. The issue of surgical margins plays a crucial role in this regard. In this review, we begin by examining the occurrence of positive surgical margins in liver metastases of patients diagnosed with CRC. We aim to define positive margins in hepatic surgery, examine the relationship between margins and prognosis and establish a foundation for future research in this field.

Investigating the synergy of Shikonin and Valproic acid in inducing apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells via ROS-mediated EGR1 expression.

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma is the most prevalent malignant bone tumour with a poor prognosis. Shikonin (SHK) is derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Lithospermum that has been extensively studied for its notable anti-tumour effects, including for osteosarcoma. However, its application has certain limitations. Valproic acid (VPA) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI) that has recently been employed as an adjunctive therapeutic agent that allows chromatin to assume a more relaxed state, thereby enhancing anti-tumour efficacy. PURPOSE: This study was aimed to investigate the synergistic anti-tumour efficacy of SHK in combination with VPA and elucidate its underlying mechanism. METHODS/STUDY DESIGN: CCK-8 assays were utilized to calculate the combination index. Additional assays, including colony formation, acridine orange/ethidium bromide double fluorescent staining, and flow cytometry, were employed to evaluate the effects on osteosarcoma cells. Wound healing and transwell assays were utilized to assess cell mobility. RNA sequencing, PCR, and Western blot analyses were conducted to uncover the underlying mechanism. Rescue experiments were performed to validate the mechanism of apoptotic induction. The impact of SHK and VPA combination treatment on primary osteosarcoma cells was also assessed. Finally, in vivo experiments were conducted to validate its anti-tumour effects and mechanism. RESULTS: The combination of SHK and VPA synergistically inhibited the proliferation and migration of osteosarcoma cells in vitro and induced apoptosis in these cells. Through a comprehensive analysis involving RNA sequencing, PCR, Western blot, and rescue experiments, we have substantiated our hypothesis that the combination of SHK and VPA induced apoptosis via the ROS-EGR1-Bax axis. Importantly, our in vivo experiments corroborated these findings, demonstrating the potential of the SHK and VPA combination as a promising therapeutic approach for osteosarcoma. CONCLUSION: The combination of SHK and VPA exerted an anti-tumour effect by inducing apoptosis through the ROS-EGR1-Bax pathway. Repurposing the old drug VPA demonstrated its effectiveness as an adjunctive therapeutic agent for SHK, enhancing its anti-tumour efficacy and revealing its potential value. Furthermore, our study expanded the application of natural compounds in the anti-tumour field and overcame some of their limitations through combination therapy. Finally, we enhanced the understanding of the mechanistic pathways linking reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells. Additionally, we elucidated the role of EGR1 in osteosarcoma cells, offering novel strategies and concepts for the treatment of osteosarcoma.