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Abstract Background The prognostic significance of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy is debated. Methods This study aims to elucidate their roles in survival outcomes. A systematic search across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library identified relevant studies. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) evaluated study quality. Meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects and fixed-effects models, supplemented by sensitivity analysis. Results A total of 11 studies with 3,634 SCLC patients were included. Patients with high NLR had significantly decreased overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.18–1.59, P

Abstract Background Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent immune-related allergic disease, and corticosteroid nasal sprays serve as the primary treatment for this patient population. However, their short duration of efficacy and frequent administration pose challenges, leading to drug wastage and potential adverse effects. To overcome these limitations, we devised a novel approach to formulate DEX-Gel by incorporating dexamethasone (DEX) into a blend of Pluronic F127, stearic acid (SA), and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400) to achieve sustained-release treatment for AR. Results Following endoscopic injection into the nasal mucosa of AR rats, DEX-Gel exhibited sustained release over a 14-day period. In vivo trials employing various assays, such as flow cytometry (FC), demonstrated that DEX-Gel not only effectively managed allergic symptoms but also significantly downregulated helper T-cells (TH) 2 and TH2-type inflammatory cytokines (e.g., interleukins 4, 5, and 13). Additionally, the TH1/TH2 cell ratio was increased. Conclusion This innovative long-acting anti-inflammatory sustained-release therapy addresses the TH1/TH2 immune imbalance, offering a promising and valuable approach for the treatment of AR and other inflammatory nasal diseases. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background Multiple primary malignant tumors (MPMTs), usually associated with worse malignant behavior and prognosis comparing to a single primary tumor, and have recently been found to have an increasing incidence globally. However, the pathogenesis of MPMTs remains to be clarified. Here, we report a unique case of the coexistence of malignant melanoma (MM), papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) along with our perceptions on its pathogenesis. Case presentation The case reported is of a 59-year-old male patient with unilateral nasal obstruction as well as a renal occupying lesion. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) revealed a palpable mass of 32 × 30 mm on the posterior and left walls of the nasopharynx. In addition, an isodense nodule was observed in the right superior renal pole, approximately 25 mm in diameter, as well as a slightly hypodense shadow in the right leaf of the thyroid, approximately 13 mm in diameter. Nasal endoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the existence of a nasopharyngeal neoplasm. Afterward, biopsies of the nasopharyngeal neoplasm, thyroid gland and kidney were performed, and the patient was diagnosed with MM, PTC, and ccRCC according to the pathological and immunohistochemical results. Moreover, mutation of BRAFV600E was detected in bilateral thyroid tissues, and amplification of both CCND1 and MYC oncogenes were detected in the nasopharyngeal melanoma. After chemotherapy, the patient is now in good overall condition. Conclusions This is the first reported case of a patient with the co-existence of MM, PTC and ccRCC undergoing chemotherapy with a favorable prognosis. Herein, we suggest that such a combination may be non-random, as for mutation of BRAFV600E might account for the co-occurrence of PTC and MM, while mutations of CCND1 and MYC cause the coexistence of MM and ccRCC. This finding may provide valuable guidance on the diagnosis and treatment of such disease, as well as the prevention of developing a second or third tumor for patients with a single primary.

HfO2-based ferroelectric field-effect transistors (FeFETs) are regarded as one of the most promising non-volatile memory technologies in the future. However, the charge trapping phenomenon during the program/erase operation is still a challenge. In this work, we comprehensively investigate the behaviors of semiconductor/insulator interface charge trapping in HfO2-based FeFETs. Through analyzing the effects of the spatial distribution of interface traps and the polarization switching speed, the coupling effects of semiconductor/insulator interface charge trapping and polarization switching are recognized. We also find that the band tail state traps have much less influence on the electrical characteristics of the FeFETs than the deep level state traps. Through engineering the devices with band tail state traps with concentrations as small as possible, the influences of charge trapping could be effectively suppressed. Moreover, the gate voltage (VG) scanning rate has a significant influence on the interface charge trapping process due to the time dependent change of ferroelectric polarization. The largest memory window could be obtained by carefully choosing the VG scanning rate of the FeFETs based on the polarization switching speed. This work represents a key step for realizing highly reliable HfO2-based FeFETs.

Abstract Background and Aim Small ubiquitin–like modifier (SUMO)‐specific protease (SENP)3 is a protease molecule that responds to reactive oxygen species (ROS) with high sensitivity. However, the role of ROS and SENP3 in the formation of nasal polyps (NPs) remains unclear. This study aimed to explore how SENP3 influenced the outcome of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) by altering macrophage function, that is, the formation of NPs. Methods The alternative activation of macrophage (M2) was detected with CD68+CD206+ in humans and CD206+ in mice. The nasal mucosa of patients with CRS was tested using flow cytometry (CD68, CD80, and CD206) and triple‐color immunofluorescence staining (CD68, CD206, and SENP3). The bone marrow–derived macrophages from SENP3 knockout and control mice were stimulated with interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐13 to analyze alternative macrophage polarization in vitro. An animal model of allergic rhinitis was constructed using SENP3 knockout mice. CD206 was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The thickening of eosinophil‐infiltrated mucosa was detected by Luna staining. Results The number of CD68+ CD206+ M2 increased in the nasal mucosa of patients with CRS with NP (CRSwNP) compared with patients with CRS without NP (CRSsNP), but with no significant difference between the groups. SENP3 knockout increased the polarization of F4/80+CD206+M2. Meanwhile, the number of CD206+M2 significantly increased in the allergic rhinitis model constructed using SENP3 knockout mice and controls, with a more obvious proliferation of the nasal mucosa. Conclusion Downregulation of SENP3 promotes the formation of nasal polyps mediated by increasing alternative activated macrophage in nasal mucosal inflammation.

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is the most common malignant head and neck cancer, with a 40% recurrence rate in the first 3 years after radical treatment. Recurrence of LSCC mostly comprises lymphogenous metastasis, hematogenic metastasis, and locoregional recurrence, while LSCC seeding is rarest: there are only 4 cases reported in PubMed, and none of them is one of subcutaneous seeding. We report a case with post-surgery subcutaneous seeding of LSCC. The final biopsy demonstrated that the subcutaneous seeding of the LSCC was 2 cm away from the primary lesion, with no recurrent foci observed in the larynx and tracheostoma and little relation to the primary lesion. Thus, we drew the conclusion that LSCC surgeries should stick to the principle of the non-tumor technique to prevent subcutaneous seeding.

Monitoring the operating status of a High-Speed Train (HST) at any moment is necessary to ensure its security. Multi-channel vibration signals are collected by sensors installed on bogies and beneficial information are extracted to determine the running condition. Based on multi-view clustering and considering different views of complementary information, this study proposes a Multi-view Kernel Fuzzy C-Means (MvKFCM) model for condition recognition of the HST bogie. First, fast Fourier transform coefficients of HST vibration signals of all channels are extracted. Then, the fuzzy classification coefficient of every channel is calculated after clustering to select the appropriate channels. Finally, the selected channels are used to cluster by MvKFCM and the conditions of HST are determined. Experimental results show that the selection is effective to maintain rich feature information and remove redundancy. Furthermore, the condition recognition rate of MvKFCM is higher than that of single-view and four other multiple-view clustering algorithms.

It is of great practical value to study the blended rolled edge of re ector used in Compact Antenna Test Range (CATR). Taking a rectangular aperture re ector as the benchmark, a re ector with ideal blended rolled edge is obtained by means of parameter iterative optimization after accurately establishing the position relationship between the local and global coordinates where the blended rolled edge is located, precisely deriving the geometric equation of the main re ector zone and blended rolled edge zone in the local coordinate and optimizing continuity condition of curvature radius. On the basis, a blended rolled edge re ector with minimum operating frequency of 0.8 GHz and quiet zone size of 2m is designed. The simulation results show that the performance of the re ector with blended rolled edge obtained by the proposed method is better than that obtained by the traditional construction method, and the designed re ector has excellent performance. The work in this paper provides a theoretical support for the optimal design and engineering application of the blended rolled edge re ector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is used to study the photoinduced changes in charge states of transition-metal impurities in a hydrothermally grown ZnO crystal. The results have shown that the isolated zinc vacancies and oxygen vacancies are not present in measurable concentrations in as-grown hydrothermal crystals.

A new algorithm can derive one or more minimal surfaces from an initial arbitrary surface with a fixed boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]