A ghost moth olfactory prototype of the lepidopteran sex communication.

Sex role differentiation is a widespread phenomenon. Sex pheromones are often associated with sex roles and convey sex-specific information. In Lepidoptera, females release sex pheromones to attract males, which evolve sophisticated olfactory structures to relay pheromone signals. However, in some primitive moths, sex role differentiation becomes diverged. Here, we introduce the chromosome-level genome assembly from ancestral Himalaya ghost moths, revealing a unique olfactory evolution pattern and sex role parity among Lepidoptera. These olfactory structures of the ghost moths are characterized by a dense population of trichoid sensilla, both larger male and female antennal entry parts of brains, compared to the evolutionary later Lepidoptera. Furthermore, a unique tandem of 34 odorant receptor 19 homologs in Thitarodes xiaojinensis (TxiaOr19) has been identified, which presents overlapped motifs with pheromone receptors (PRs). Interestingly, the expanded TxiaOr19 was predicted to have unconventional tuning patterns compared to canonical PRs, with nonsexual dimorphic olfactory neuropils discovered, which contributes to the observed equal sex roles in Thitarodes adults. Additionally, transposable element activity bursts have provided traceable loci landscapes where parallel diversifications occurred between TxiaOr19 and PRs, indicating that the Or19 homolog expansions were diversified to PRs during evolution and thus established the classic sex roles in higher moths. This study elucidates an olfactory prototype of intermediate sex communication from Himalaya ghost moths.

Antegrade and retrograde approaches with a mechanical thrombectomy device for the treatment of acute lower limb deep vein thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of antegrade and retrograde approaches with the AngioJet thrombectomy device for the treatment of acute lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and to evaluate the necessity of filter placement. METHODS: The clinical data of patients with acute lower limb DVT treated with the AngioJet device from January 2021 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into the antegrade and retrograde treatment groups according to the surgical approach and the direction of valve opening. The thrombosis interception rate of the filter, incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE), thrombectomy effectiveness, venous obstruction rate, and thrombosis recurrence rate of each treatment group were evaluated. In addition, factors affecting patency were analyzed. RESULTS: AngioJet was employed for 84 patients with acute lower limb DVT, treating a total of 88 limbs. The thrombosis interception rate of the filter was 35.7% (30 patients). The incidence of new PE or PE exacerbation was 6.0% (5 patients), and a filter retrieval rate of 97.6% (82 patients) was detected. Thrombus removal of grade III occurred in 35 (64.8%) of the 54 limbs (61.4%) in the antegrade treatment group, versus 13 (38.2%) of the 34 limbs (38.6%) in the retrograde treatment group (P<0.05). At 3 months, venous patency and bleeding events involved 52 (96.3%) and 4 (7.4%) limbs in the antegrade treatment group, respectively, versus 29 (85.3%) and 2 (5.9%) in the retrograde treatment group, respectively (P>0.05). Regression analysis was performed to determine factors that may affect 3-month patency in both groups. Statistically significant linear relationships were found between 3-month patency and thrombus removal rate [OR=0.546 (0.326, 0.916)], thrombus formation time [OR=1.018 (1.002, 1.036)], and preoperative thrombosis score [OR=1.012 (1.002, 1.022)] in the antegrade treatment group, as well as thrombus removal rate [0.473 (0.229, 0.977)] in the retrograde treatment group. In regression analysis of factors affecting patency in both groups and VCSS/Villalta score, a statistically significant linear relationship was found between thrombus formation time and VCSS score in the antegrade treatment group [0.576 (0.467, 0.710)]. CONCLUSION: Both antegrade and retrograde approaches are safe and effective for the treatment of acute lower limb DVT. There are no differences in 3-month deep vein patency and post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) incidence rates. Individuals with acute lower limb DVT are at high risk of thrombus shedding after treatment with AngioJet thrombectomy, and placement of a vena cava filter (VCF) is recommended for effective interception.

Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS-stimulated BMSC-derived exosome promotes osteoclastogenesis via miR-151-3p/PAFAH1B1.

OBJECTIVES: Porphyromonas gingivalis-LPS regulated bone metabolism by triggering dysfunction of osteoblasts directly, and affecting activity of osteoclasts through intracellular communication. Exosome, as the mediator of intercellular communication, was important vesicle to regulate osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis. This research was designed for investigating the mechanism of BMSCs-EXO in modulating osteoclastic activity under the P. gingivalis-LPS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cytotoxicity and osteogenic effects of P. gingivalis-LPS on BMSCs was evaluated, and then osteoclastic activity of RAW264.7 co-cultured with exosomes was detected. Besides, Affymetrix miRNA array and luciferase reporter assay were used to identify the target exosomal miRNA signal pathway. RESULTS: BMSCs' osteogenic differentiation and proliferation were decreased under 1 and 10 µg/mL P. gingivalis-LPS. Osteoclastic-related genes and proteins levels were promoted by P. gingivalis-LPS-stimulated BMSCs-EXO. Based on the miRNA microarray analysis, exosomal miR-151-3p was lessened in BMExo-LPS group, which facilitated osteoclastic differentiation through miR-151-3p/PAFAH1B1. CONCLUSIONS: Porphyromonas gingivalis-LPS could regulated bone metabolism by inhibiting proliferation and osteogenesis of BMSCs directly. Also, P. gingivalis-LPS-stimulated BMSCs-EXO promoted osteoclastogenesis via activating miR-151-3p/PAFAH1B1 signal pathway.

The amino acid sensor MetRS is required for methionine-induced milk protein synthesis in a domestic pigeon model.

This study was conducted to investigate whether methionyl-tRNA synthetase (MetRS) is a mediator of Met-induced crop milk protein synthesis via the janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) signalling pathway in breeding pigeons. In Experiment 1, a total of 216 pairs of breeding pigeons were divided into 3 groups (control, Met-deficient, and Met-rescue groups). In Experiments 2 and 3, forty pairs of breeding pigeons from each experiment were allocated into 4 groups. The 2nd experiment included a control group and 3 MetRS inhibitor (REP8839) groups. The 3rd experiment included a Met-deficient group, Met-sufficient group, REP8839 + Met-deficient group, and REP8839 + Met-sufficient group. Experiment 1 showed that Met supplementation increased crop development, crop milk protein synthesis, the protein expression of MetRS and JAK2/STAT5 signalling pathway, and improved squab growth. Experiment 2 showed that crop development, crop milk protein synthesis, and the protein expression of MetRS and the JAK2/STAT5 signalling pathway were decreased, and squab growth was inhibited by the injection of 1.0 mg/kg BW REP8839, which was the selected dose for the 3rd experiment. These results showed that Met supplementation increased crop development, crop milk protein synthesis, and the expression of MetRS and JAK2/STAT5 signalling pathway and rescued squab growth after the injection of REP8839. Moreover, the Co-IP results showed that there was an interaction between MetRS and JAK2. Taken together, these findings indicate that MetRS mediates Met-induced crop milk protein synthesis via the JAK2/STAT5 signalling pathway, resulting in improved squab growth in breeding pigeons.

Unpacking the perceived cycling safety of road environment using street view imagery and cycle accident data.

Cycling, as a routine mode of travel, offers significant benefits in promoting health, eliminating emissions, and alleviating traffic congestion. Many cities, including London, have introduced various policies and measures to promote 'active travel' in view of its manifold advantages. Nevertheless, the reality is not as desirable as expected. Existing studies suggest that cyclists' perceptions of cycling safety significantly hinder the broader adoption of cycling. Our study investigates the perceived cycling safety and unpacks the association between the cycling safety level and the road environment, taking London as a case study. First, we proposed novel cycling safety level indicators that incorporate both collision and injury risks, based on which a tri-tiered cycling safety level prediction spanning the entirety of London's road network has been generated with good accuracy. Second, we assessed the road environment by harnessing imagery features of street view reflecting the cyclist's perception of space and combined it with road features of cycle accident sites. Finally, associations between road environment features and cycling safety levels have been explained using SHAP values, leading to tailored policy recommendations. Our research has identified several key factors that contribute to a risky environment for cycling. Among these, the "second road effects," which refers to roads intersecting with the road where the accident occurred, is the most critical to cycling safety levels. This would also support and further contribute to the literature on road safety. Other results related to road greenery, speed limits, etc, are also discussed in detail. In summary, our study offers insights into urban design and transport planning, emphasising the perceived cycling safety of road environment.

Anti-inflammatory effect of a novel piperazino-enaminone delivered by liposomes in a mouse model of hemophilic arthropathy.

Hemophilic arthropathy (HA) is a condition caused by recurrent intra-articular bleeding in patients with hemophilia. Pro-inflammatory cytokines play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of HA. Our previous research demonstrated that a novel compound, piperazino-enaminone (JODI), effectively inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, MCP-1, MIP-1α, and MIP-1ß, in a mouse model of hemarthrosis. This study aims to enhance the anti-inflammatory effect of JODI by employing nanoparticle delivery systems, which could potentially improve its poor water solubility. Here, we developed liposomes modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) for the delivery of JODI (JODI-LIP), and found that JODI-LIP exhibited uniform size, morphology, good stability and in vitro release degree. JODI-LIP mitigated cytotoxicity of JODI, and significantly suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1ß) and nitric oxide (NO) release in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as well as the proliferation of human fibroblast-like synovial (HFLS) cells. In a murine model of HA, JODI-LIP demonstrated superior efficacy in ameliorating joint swelling and synovitis, compared to JODI. Importantly, JODI-LIP markedly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-33, and MCP-1) in injured joints. No hepatic or hematological toxicity was observed in mice treated with JODI-LIP. In summary, our results suggest that JODI-LIP holds promise as a therapeutic intervention for HA by attenuating pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.

Efficacy and safety of surufatinib plus toripalimab, a chemotherapy-free regimen, in patients with advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, or biliary tract cancer.

BACKGROUND: The programmed death 1 inhibitor toripalimab plus the angio-immuno kinase inhibitor surufatinib showed a tolerable safety profile and preliminary efficacy in patients with advanced solid tumors in a phase I study. METHODS: This open-label, multi-cohort study in China enrolled patients with advanced solid tumors who had failed or were intolerable to standard treatment into tumor-specific cohorts. Patients received surufatinib (250 mg orally, once daily) plus toripalimab (240 mg intravenously, once every three weeks). Results for three cohorts (gastric/gastroesophageal junction [GC/GEJ] adenocarcinoma, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma [ESCC], and biliary tract carcinoma [BTC]) are reported here. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed objective response rate (ORR) per Response Evaluation criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1. RESULTS: Between December 17, 2019, and January 29, 2021, 60 patients were enrolled (GC/GEJ, n = 20; ESCC, n = 20; BTC, n = 20). At data cutoff (February 28, 2023), ORRs were 31.6%, 30.0%, and 11.1%, respectively. Median progression-free survival was 4.1, 2.7, and 2.9 months, respectively. Median overall survival was 13.7, 10.4, and 7.0 months, respectively. Overall, grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 28 (46.7%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Surufatinib plus toripalimab showed promising antitumor activity and a tolerable safety profile in immunotherapy-naïve patients with GC/GEJ adenocarcinoma, ESCC, or BTC. These findings warrant further study in larger randomized trials comparing surufatinib plus toripalimab with standard therapies in these tumors. CLINICALTRIALS: gov NCT04169672.

A novel single-channel edge computing LoRa gateway for real-time confirmed messaging.

LoRaWAN has become the technology of choice for increasing Internet of Things applications owing to its long range and low power consumption characteristics. However, in the uplink confirmed messaging cases, the entire retransmission could take several seconds, so it cannot be used in scenarios that require rapid confirmed messaging, such as emergency alerting and real-time controlling applications. Nevertheless, there has been limited work targeting this issue. This study presents a novel LoRaWAN gateway using edge computing to expedite the confirmed messaging process by generating the acknowledgment (ACK) locally, so that the confirmed messaging time can be significantly reduced. Additionally, the resource utilization of the network server can also be decreased due to the use of edge computing. We verified the effectiveness of our solution through extensive simulations and experiments. The confirmed messaging time between the end nodes and the gateway averaged 43 ms for a maximum of 2 retransmissions. With the adoption of edge computing on the gateway, the network server's central processing unit (CPU), memory, and bandwidth peak utilization decrease from 53.51 to 39.46, 73.88 to 72.11%, and 4422.68 kbps to 3271.27 kbps, respectively. In addition, the network server's system load decreases from 2.15 to 1.69, while the gateway cost is reduced by almost $ 38 compared to the benchmark products.

Replication protein-A, RPA, plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of recombination checkpoint in yeast meiosis.

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) activate DNA damage responses (DDRs) in both mitotic and meiotic cells. A single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding protein, Replication protein-A (RPA) binds to the ssDNA formed at DSBs to activate ATR/Mec1 kinase for the response. Meiotic DSBs induce homologous recombination monitored by a meiotic DDR called the recombination checkpoint that blocks the pachytene exit in meiotic prophase I. In this study, we further characterized the essential role of RPA in the maintenance of the recombination checkpoint during Saccharomyces cerevisiae meiosis. The depletion of an RPA subunit, Rfa1, in a recombination-defective dmc1 mutant, fully alleviates the pachytene arrest with the persistent unrepaired DSBs. RPA depletion decreases the activity of a meiosis-specific CHK2 homolog, Mek1 kinase, which in turn activates the Ndt80 transcriptional regulator for pachytene exit. These support the idea that RPA is a sensor of ssDNAs for the activation of meiotic DDR. Rfa1 depletion also accelerates the prophase I delay in the zip1 mutant defective in both chromosome synapsis and the recombination, consistent with the notion that the accumulation of ssDNAs rather than defective synapsis triggers prophase I delay in the zip1 mutant.

The combined analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics reveals the mechanisms by which dietary quercetin regulates growth and immunity in Penaeus vannamei.

As a potent antioxidant, the flavonoid compound quercetin (QUE) has been widely used in the farming of aquatic animals. However, there are fewer reports of the beneficial effects, especially in improving immunity of Penaeus vannamei by QUE. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary QUE on growth, apoptosis, antioxidant and immunity of P. vannamei. It also explored the potential mechanisms of QUE in improving the growth and immunity of P. vannamei. P. vannamei were fed diets with QUE for 60 days. The results revealed that QUE (0.5 or 1.0 g/kg) ameliorated the growth, and the expressions of genes related to apoptosis, antioxidant, and immunity. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differential metabolites (DMs) obtained through transcriptomics and metabolomics, respectively, enriched in pathways related to nutritional metabolism such as lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism. After QUE addition, especially at 0.5 g/kg, DEGs were enriched into the functions of response to stimulus and antioxidant activity, and the pathways of HIF-1 signaling pathway, C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and FoxO signaling pathway. In conclusion, dietary QUE can ameliorate growth, apoptosis, antioxidant and immunity of P. vannamei, the appropriate addition amount was 0.5 g/kg rather than 1.0 g/kg. Regulations of QUE on nutrient metabolism and immune-related pathways, and bioactive metabolites, were important factors for improving the aforementioned abilities in P. vannamei.

Multifunctional Polyoxometalates-Based Ionohydrogels toward Flexible Electronics.

Multifunctional flexible electronics present tremendous opportunities in the rapidly evolving digital age. One potential avenue to realize this goal is the integration of polyoxometalates (POMs) and ionic liquid-based gels (ILGs), but the challenge of macrophase separation due to poor compatibility, especially caused by repulsion between like-charged units, poses a significant hurdle. Herein, the possibilities of producing diverse and homogenous POMs-containing ionohydrogels by nanoconfining POMs and ionic liquids (ILs) within an elastomer-like polyzwitterionic hydrogel using a simple one-step random copolymerization method, are expanded vastly. The incorporation of polyzwitterions provides a nanoconfined microenvironment and effectively modulates excessive electrostatic interactions in POMs/ILs/H2O blending system, facilitating a phase transition from macrophase separation to a submillimeter scale worm-like microphase-separation system. Moreover, combining POMs-reinforced ionohydrogels with a developed integrated self-powered sensing system utilizing strain sensors and Zn-ion hybrid supercapacitors has enabled efficient energy storage and detection of external strain changes with high precision. This work not only provides guidelines for manipulating morphology within phase-separation gelation systems, but also paves the way for developing versatile POMs-based ionohydrogels for state-of-the-art smart flexible electronics.

Proteomic and metabolomic features in patients with HCC responding to lenvatinib and anti-PD1 therapy.

Combination therapy (lenvatinib/programmed death-1 inhibitor) is effective for treating unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). We reveal that responders have better overall and progression-free survival, as well as high tumor mutation burden and special somatic variants. We analyze the proteome and metabolome of 82 plasma samples from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; n = 51) and normal controls (n = 15), revealing that individual differences outweigh treatment differences. Responders exhibit enhanced activity in the alternative/lectin complement pathway and higher levels of lysophosphatidylcholines (LysoPCs), predicting a favorable prognosis. Non-responders are enriched for immunoglobulins, predicting worse outcomes. Compared to normal controls, HCC plasma proteins show acute inflammatory response and platelet activation, while LysoPCs decrease. Combination therapy increases LysoPCs/phosphocholines in responders. Logistic regression/random forest models using metabolomic features achieve good performance in the prediction of responders. Proteomic analysis of cancer tissues unveils molecular features that are associated with side effects in responders receiving combination therapy. In conclusion, our analysis identifies plasma features associated with uHCC responders to combination therapy.

LSPConv: local spatial projection convolution for point cloud analysis.

This study introduces a novel approach, Local Spatial Projection Convolution (LSPConv), for point cloud classification and semantic segmentation. Unlike conventional methods utilizing relative coordinates for local geometric information, our motivation stems from the inadequacy of existing techniques for representing the intricate spatial organization of unconsolidated and irregular 3D point clouds. To address this limitation, we propose a Local Spatial Projection Module utilizing a vector projection strategy, designed to capture comprehensive local spatial information more effectively. Moreover, recent studies emphasize the importance of anisotropic kernels for point cloud feature extraction, considering the distinct contributions of individual neighboring points. To cater to this requirement, we introduce the Feature Weight Assignment (FWA) Module to assign weights to neighboring points, enhancing the anisotropy crucial for accurate feature extraction. Additionally, we introduce an Anisotropic Relative Feature Encoding Module that adaptively encodes points based on their relative features, further amplifying the anisotropic characteristics. Our approaches achieve remarkable results for point cloud classification and segmentation in several benchmark datasets based on extensive qualitative and quantitative evaluation.

Enhancing Targeted Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma through a pH-Responsive Delivery System: Folic Acid-Modified Polydopamine-Paclitaxel-Loaded Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) Nanoparticles.

Currently, there is an inherent contradiction between the multifunctionality and excellent biocompatibility of anticancer drug nanocarriers, which limits their application. Therefore, to overcome this limitation, we aimed to develop a biocompatible drug delivery system for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we employed poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) as the fundamental framework of the nanocarrier and utilized the emulsion solvent evaporation method to fabricate nanoparticles loaded with paclitaxel (PTX), known as PTX-PHBV NPs. To enhance the tumor-targeting capability, a dopamine self-polymerization strategy was employed to form a pH-sensitive coating on the surface of the nanoparticles. Then, folic acid (FA)-targeting HCC was conjugated to the nanoparticles with a polydopamine (PDA) coating by using the Michael addition reaction, resulting in the formation of HCC-targeted nanoparticles (PTX-PHBV@PDA-FA NPs). The PTX-PHBV@PDA-FA NPs were characterized and analyzed by using dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Encouragingly, PTX-PHBV@PDA-FA NPs exhibited remarkable anticancer efficacy in an HCC xenograft mouse model. Furthermore, compared to raw PTX, PTX-PHBV@PDA-FA NPs showed less toxicity in vivo. In conclusion, these results demonstrate the potential of PTX-PHBV@PDA-FA NPs for HCC treatment and biocompatibility.

Biocompatibility and osteogenic potential of choline phosphate chitosan-coated biodegradable Zn1Mg.

Zinc alloys have demonstrated considerable potentials as implant materials for biodegradable vascular and orthopedic applications. However, the high initial release of Zn2+ can trigger intense immune responses that impede tissue healing. To address this challenge and enhance the osteogenic capacity of zinc alloys, the surface of Zn1Mg was subjected to CO2 plasma modification (Zn1Mg-PP) followed by grafting with choline phosphate chitosan (Zn1Mg-PP-PCCs). This study aims to investigate the in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of the surface-modified Zn1Mg. The effect of the surface modification on the inflammatory response and osteogenic repair process was investigated. Compared with unmodified Zn1Mg, the degradation rate of Zn1Mg-PP-PCCs was significantly decreased, avoiding the cytotoxicity triggered by the release of large amounts of Zn2+. Moreover, PCCs significantly enhanced the cell-material adhesion, promoted the proliferation of osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) and upregulated the expression of key osteogenic factors in vitro. Notably, the in vivo experiments revealed that the surface modification of Zn1Mg suppressed inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines, promoting the secretion of anti-inflammatory factors, thereby reducing inflammation and promoting bone tissue repair. Furthermore, histological analysis of tissue sections exhibited strong integration between the material and the bone, along with well-defined new bone formation and reduced osteoclast aggregation on the surface. This was attributed to the improved immune microenvironment by PCCs, which promoted osteogenic differentiation of osteoblasts. These findings highlight that the preparation of PCCs coatings on zinc alloy surfaces effectively inhibited ion release and modulated the immune environment to promote bone tissue repair. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Surface modification of biodegradable Zn alloys facilitates the suppression of intense immune responses caused by excessive ion release concentrations from implants. We modified the surface of Zn1Mg with choline phosphate chitosan (PCCs) and investigated the effects of surface modification on the inflammatory response and osteogenic repair process. In vitro results showed that the PCCs coating effectively reduced the degradation rate of Zn1Mg to avoid cytotoxicity caused by high Zn2+ concentration, favoring the proliferation of osteoblasts. In addition, in vivo results indicated that Zn1Mg-PP-PCCs attenuated inflammation to promote bone repair by modulating the release of inflammation-related factors. The surface-modified Zn1Mg implants demonstrated strong osseointegration, indicating that the PCCs coating effectively modulated the immune microenvironment and promoted bone healing.

Modified interproximal tunneling technique with customized sub-epithelial connective tissue graft for gingival papilla reconstruction: report of three cases with a cutback incision on the palatal side.

BACKGROUND: Gingival papilla defects, which cause an unpleasant appearance and involve the upper anterior teeth, may be triggered by several factors. Several noninvasive and invasive techniques have been proposed for gingival papilla reconstruction. The combination of interproximal tunneling and customized connective tissue grafts (CTGs) has shown promise in papilla augmentation. However, due to the narrowness and limited blood supply of the gingival papilla, the long-term outcomes of these techniques remain unpredictable. Therefore, achieving tension-free coronal advancement of the interdental papilla and proper placement of the CTG is crucial for successful long-term outcomes and could provide widely applicable methods for papilla augmentation. CASE REPORT: In this study, we enrolled three patients with gingival papilla defects in the maxillary anterior teeth. For reconstruction, we proposed a modified interproximal tunneling (MIPT) technique combined with a CTG. A crucial modification based on previous studies involved adding a cutback incision to the base of the palatal vertical incision, resulting in tension-free healing. Additionally, the CTG was sutured upright to further enhance the height of the gingiva papilla. To evaluate the efficacy of the MIPT technique, the clinical parameters-including the Jemt papilla index and the distance from the tip of the papilla to the interproximal contact point-were examined using a periodontal probe (UNC15, Hu-friedy) at baseline and 12 months after surgery. All three patients achieved satisfactory papilla reconstruction 12 months after the surgery. These three cases were used to evaluate the efficacy of the MIPT technique combined with the customized CTG. An average increase in the Jemt papilla score from 1.6 to 2.8 and a reduction in the distance from the papilla tip to the contact point of adjacent teeth from 2 mm to 0.08 mm were observed 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: The preliminary results confirmed that this technique holds promise for gingival papilla augmentation between tooth/tooth or tooth/implant.

Effectiveness and safety of human type 5 recombinant adenovirus (H101) in malignant tumor with malignant pleural effusion and ascites: A multicenter, observational, real-world study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness and safety of H101 in Chinese patients with malignant pleural effusion and ascites (MPE/MA) in the real world. METHODS: This multicenter, observational, real-world study recruited patients with MPE/MA caused by malignant tumor receiving H101-containing treatment between January 2020 and June 2022. Effectiveness was evaluated by overall remission rate (ORR), and safety was evaluated based on adverse events (AEs). Subgroup analysis was performed on patients grouped according to tumor type, the volume of MPE and MA, and dosage of H101. RESULTS: A total of 643 eligible patients were enrolled, and 467 received H101 monotherapy and 176 received H101 combined with chemotherapy. The ORR of total patients was60.3% with 388 case of PR. In the H101 monotherapy group, the decrease of MPE or MA was achieved in 282 (60.4%, PR) patients, 176 (37.7%, NC) patients showed no change in volume of MPE or MA, and nine (1.9%, PD) patients showed an increase, yielding an ORR of 60.4% (282/467). The ORR for the combination therapy group was 60.2% (106/176), with 106 cases of PR, 69 cases of NC and one case of PD. Subgroup analyses based on tumor type, volume of MPE and MA, and dosage of H101 all showed high ORR, approximately 60%. The main AEs associated with H101-containing regimens were fever, nausea and vomiting. No serious AEs occurred in both groups. CONCLUSION: Encouraging clinical benefits and manageable toxicity of H101 against MPE/MA were preliminarily observed in the real-world clinical setting, indicating that the H101-containing regimen is reliable, safe, and feasible, providing a novel and effective option for the treatment of this disease.

Combining LCA-MFA models to identify China's plastic value chain environmental impact mitigation pathways.

Characterizing material flows and environmental impacts of plastic value chain is crucial for sustainable plastic management. Here, we combine material flow analysis and life cycle assessment methods to map the flows of eight major plastics and investigate the multiple environmental impacts of China's plastic value chain. We find that packaging and textile sectors dominate plastic consumption and are responsible for the value chain environmental burdens, but with low recycling rates. Major environmental impacts are generated in plastic production and product manufacturing stages because of the consumption of coal-based feedstocks and electricity. We therefore set up six scenarios by considering carbon neutrality energy pathway, plastic recycling improvement, and technology updating, finding that the value chain environmental impact can be reduced by 14%-57% in 2060 under combined scenario. Particularly, carbon neutrality renewable energy pathway plays an important role. These findings provide valuable insights to identify key mitigation pathways for plastic value chain.

Degradation of Sulfamethoxazole by Manganese(IV) Oxide in the Presence of Humic Acid: Role of Stabilized Semiquinone Radicals.

In this work, we demonstrate for the first time the abatement of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) induced by stabilized ortho-semiquinone radicals (o-SQ•-) in the MnO2-mediated system in the presence of humic acid. To evaluate the performance of different MnO2/mediator systems, 16 mediators are examined for their effects on MnO2 reactions with SMX. The key role of the bidentate Mn(II)-o-SQ• complex and MnO2 surface in stabilizing SQ•- is revealed. To illustrate the formation of the Mn(II)-o-SQ• complex, electron spin resonance, cyclic voltammetry, and mass spectra were used. To demonstrate the presence of o-SQ• on the MnO2 surface, EDTA was used to quench Mn(II)-o-SQ•. The high stability of o-SQ•- on the MnO2 surface is attributed to the higher potential of o-SQ•- (0.9643 V) than the MnO2 surface (0.8598 V) at pH 7.0. The SMX removal rate constant by different stabilized o-SQ• at pH 7.0 ranges from 0.0098 to 0.2252 min-1. The favorable model is the rate constant ln (kobs, 7.0) = 6.002EHOMO(o-Qred) + 33.744(ELUMO(o-Q) - EHOMO(o-Qred)) - 32.800, whose parameters represent the generation and reactivity of o-SQ•, respectively. Moreover, aniline and cystine are competitive substrates for SMX in coupling o-SQ•-. Due to the abundance of humic constituents in aquatic environments, this finding sheds light on the low-oxidant-demand, low-carbon, and highly selective removal of sulfonamide antibiotics.

Analysis of the anatomical and biomechanical characteristics of the pelvic floor in cystocele.

INTRODUCTION: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) occurs due to disruption of the pelvic floor anatomy; however, the complexity of the pelvic floor support structures and individual patient differences make it difficult to identify the weak points in the pelvic floor support that cause SUI to occur, develop, and recur. This study aimed to analyze the pelvic floor anatomy, structural features, and biomechanics of cystoceles to develop more effective treatment plans with individualized and precise healthcare. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this observational case-controlled study (clinical trial identifier BOJI201855L), 102 women with normal pelvic floor function and 273 patients diagnosed with cystocele degrees I-III were identified at Shanghai General Hospital from October 2016 to December 2019. We combined ultrasound and vaginal tactile imaging (VTI) to assess the anatomy and biomechanical functions of the anterior and posterior vaginal walls. Both examinations included relaxation and muscle tension tests. RESULTS: Of the 42 VTI parameters, 13 were associated with the degree of cystocele, six with an increase in the urethral rotation angle (pointing to the mobility of the urethra), and six with a decrease in the retrovesical angle (pointing to hypsokinesis and decrease in bladder position). According to these data, the strength of tissues, especially the muscles in both the anterior and posterior compartments, contributes to the stability of the pelvic floor structure. The strength of the levator ani muscle (LAM) is important for the degree of cystocele, mobility of the urethra, hypsokinesis, and decrease in bladder position. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the biomechanical status of the pelvic floor in patients with cystocele is complex and involves various muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia. Of these, repair and exercise of the LAM have not received much attention in the treatment of patients with cystoceles, which may be an important risk factor for the high recurrence rate.