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Abstract Mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) is a distinct subtype of colorectal cancer. Previous studies have confirmed the poor prognosis of rectal or left-sided colon MAC, while the prognosis and response to chemotherapy in proximal colon MAC remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, prognosis, response to chemotherapy, and risk prediction factors of proximal colon MAC. Patients with proximal colon MAC and non-mucinous adenocarcinoma (NMAC) were retrospectively analyzed in this study. The analyzed variables included gender, age, smoking, drinking, chemotherapy, metastasis, pathological stage, and tumor size. Overall survival (OS) was the primary outcome. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to assess the impact of mucinous subtype and chemotherapy on OS. We conducted univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to determine prognosis factors for proximal colon MAC and NMAC. A total of 284 cases of proximal colon MAC and 1384 cases of NMAC were included in the study. Compared to NMAC, proximal colon MAC was diagnosed at a younger age. The proportion of synchronous and metachronous metastasis was also higher, as well as the pathological stage and tumor size. Proximal colon MAC had a worse prognosis than NMAC, especially in stage 3. Moreover, the prognosis of proximal colon NMAC improved after chemotherapy, while MAC showed no improvement in prognosis after chemotherapy. Advanced age, N1 and N2 stage were independent prognostic factors for adverse outcomes in MAC. For proximal colon adenocarcinoma, the independent predictors of adverse outcomes included mucinous subtype, order age, N1 and N2 stages, and pathological stage 4. Proximal colon MAC had a worse prognosis compared to NMAC. Chemotherapy did not improve the prognosis of proximal colon mucinous adenocarcinoma.

The collisionless Keda Reconnection eXperiment (KRX) is a comprehensive platform for ground-base simulations of basic physical processes in a space environment. Its purpose is to reveal the triggering mechanism and electron diffusion structure of collisionless magnetic field reconnection and to study the associated plasma waves. The KRX is a linear device with a capsule-shaped vacuum chamber of 3 m diameter and composed of several sections. The world's largest oxide cathode source (2 m × 1 m) was used to produce a uniform background plasma. The KRX was surrounded by ten groups of guided field magnetic coils. Meanwhile, the reconnection magnetic field configuration was constructed using two parallel current plates with the same pulse current, which were installed on the upper and lower parts of the device. In addition, the pulse power supply adopted an H-shaped bridge structure to realize the controllable variable rate reconnection drive. More than 200 vacuum windows surround the device. The magnetic-field reconnection process can be measured using a probe array and other advanced optical diagnostics, including a THz polarimeter/interferometer and laser-induced fluorescence. KRX is the latest generation of magnetic-reconnection experiment platforms and is particularly useful for collisionless magnetic reconnection experiments. The reconnection area reaches 10 times the ion inertia length, and the Lundquist number is expected to reach 105. Global, active, and high-precision diagnostic measurements make multiscale, comprehensive research on magnetic field reconnection possible by addressing the shortcomings of satellite observations and numerical simulations. At present, the construction of the experimental platform and key components, such as diagnostics, have been completed. A research scheme of multi-scale, multi-magnetic island merger, 3D magnetic field reconnection, and other important issues is proposed based on the preliminary small-scale results of the research device.

Abstract background Stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) is a significant contributor to cancer-related mortality worldwide. Although previous research has identified endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) as a regulator of various tumor-promoting properties of cancer cells, the impact of ERS-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) on STAD prognosis has not yet been investigated. Therefore, our study aims to develop and validate an ERS-related lncRNA signature that can accurately predict the prognosis of STAD patients. Methods We collected RNA expression profiles and clinical data of STAD patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and identified ERS-related genes from the Molecular Signature Database (MSigDB). Co-expression analysis enabled us to identify ERS-related lncRNAs, and we applied univariate Cox, least absolute shrinkage, and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox regression analyses to construct a predictive signature comprising of 9 ERS-related lncRNAs. We assessed the prognostic accuracy of our signature using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and validated our predictive signature in an independent gene expression omnibus (GEO) cohort. We also performed tumor mutational burden (TMB) and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) analyses. Enrichment analysis was used to investigate the functions and biological processes of the signature, and we identified two distinct STAD patient subgroups through consensus clustering. Finally, we performed drug sensitivity analysis and immunologic efficacy analysis to explore further insights. Results The 9 ERS related-lncRNAs signature demonstrated satisfactory predictive performance as an independent prognostic marker and was significantly associated with STAD clinicopathological characteristics. Furthermore, patients in the high-risk group displayed a worse STAD prognosis than those in the low-risk group. Notably, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed significant enrichment of extracellular matrix pathways in the high-risk group, indicating their involvement in STAD progression. Additionally, the high-risk group exhibited significantly lower TMB expression levels than the low-risk group. Consensus clustering revealed two distinct STAD patient subgroups, with Cluster 1 exhibiting higher immune cell infiltration and more active immune functions. Drug sensitivity analysis suggested that the low-risk group was more responsive to oxaliplatin, epirubicinl, and other drugs. Conclusion Our study highlights the crucial regulatory roles of ERS-related lncRNAs in STAD, with significant clinical implications. The 9-lncRNA signature we have constructed represents a reliable prognostic indicator that has the potential to inform more personalized treatment decisions for STAD patients. These findings shed new light on the pathogenesis of STAD and its underlying molecular mechanisms, offering opportunities for novel therapeutic strategies to be developed for STAD patients.

[Introduction] The proposal of the "dual carbon" strategy has given new requirements and connotations to the reduction of energy consumption intensity and the "dual control" of the total amount. On the premise of adhering to the priority of energy efficiency, we should fully consider the stage of regional development and reasonably ensure the "dual control" indicators are decomposed and implemented layer by layer. [Method] Taking the decomposition of the "dual control" indicators of energy consumption in the "14th Five-Year Plan" of a certain city as an example, this paper selected quantifications that could reflect the economic level, energy consumption volume, energy-saving potential and the completion of the energy-saving goals of the "13th Five-Year Plan" indicators of each district and county (city) and built a combined weighting assignment model based on the combination of hierarchical analysis and objective weighting to calculate the weight of each indicator, obtaining the "dual control" indicator distribution results, and then used clustering analysis to carry out the differentiation of the indicator system and cluster aggregation. [Result] By comparing the results of combination weighting and clustering analysis, the regional energy consumption intensity reduction target decomposition algorithm based on multi-indicator combination weighting and clustering analysis can obtain basically consistent results. [Conclusion] Based on the results of the above two methods, the actual economic development and government management needs, the energy consumption management targets of different levels are obtained, which takes into account regional development differences, conforms to the national "14th Five-Year Plan" energy consumption "dual control" system requirements and decomposition principle, and has the characteristics of replicability and promotion.

ObjectivesPrevious studies have confirmed a link between specific inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but the causal relationship between them is not completely clear. This Mendelian Randomization (MR) study aims to evaluate the causal relationship between 18 inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory bowel disease.MethodTwo-sample Mendelian randomization utilized genetic variances associated with IBD from two extensive publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) (Crohn’s Disease (CD): 12,194 cases and 28,072 controls; Ulcerative Colitis (UC): 12,336 cases and 33,609 controls). The data of inflammatory cytokines was acquired from a GWAS including 8,293 healthy participants. We used inverse variance weighted method, MR-Egger, weighted median, simple model and weighted model to evaluate the causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and IBD. Sensitivity analysis includes heterogeneity and pleiotropy analysis to evaluate the robustness of the results.ResultsThe findings indicated suggestive positive associations between Interleukin-13 (IL-13) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) with CD (odds ratio, OR: 1.101, 95%CI: 1.021-1.188, p = 0.013; OR: 1.134, 95%CI: 1.024-1.255, p = 0.015). IL-13 also displayed a significant positive correlation with UC (OR: 1.099, 95%CI: 1.018-1.186, p = 0.016). Stem cell factor (SCF) was suggested to be associated with the development of both CD and UC (OR: 1.032, 95%CI: 0.973-1.058, p = 0.012; OR: 1.038, 95%CI: 1.005-1.072, p = 0.024).ConclusionThis study proposes that IL-13 may be a factor correlated with the etiology of IBD (CD and UC), while MIF just be specifically associated with CD. Additionally, SCF appears more likely to be involved in the downstream development of IBD (CD and UC).

Background Uterine contractions may interfere with embryo implantation in assisted reproductive technology. To reduce these contractions and improve success rates, the oxytocin antagonist atosiban has been suggested for administration during embryo transfer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of atosiban in increasing live birth rates among women who have previously experienced a single implantation failure and are scheduled for single blastocyst transfer.Methods and analysis We conduct a single-centre randomised controlled study comparing atosiban and placebo in women undergoing a single blastocyst transfer with a previous failed blastocyst transfer. Women with endocrine or systemic illnesses, recurrent miscarriages, uterine malformations or fibroids, untreated hydrosalpinx, endometriosis (stage III or IV) or uterine fibroids, as well as women undergoing preimplantation genetic testing, are ineligible. The primary outcome is live birth resulting from the frozen-thawed embryo transfer. Secondary outcomes include biochemical/clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, multiple pregnancies as well as maternal and perinatal outcomes. We plan to recruit 1100 women (550 women per group). This will allow us to demonstrate or refute an increase in live birth rate from 40% to 50%. Data analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. We will measure patterns of uterine peristalsis which will allow subgroup analysis for women with or without uterine peristalsis.Ethics and dissemination This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Northwest Women’s and Children’s Hospital (No. SZ2019001). Written informed consent will be obtained from each participant before randomisation. The results of the trial will be presented at scientific meetings and reported in publications.Trial registration number ChiCTR1900022333.

The reversed field pinch (RFP) is a toroidal magnetic configuration in which plasmas can spontaneously transform into different self-organized states. Among various states, the ‘quasi-single-helical’ (QSH) state has a dominant component for the magnetic field and significantly improves confinement. Many theoretical and experimental efforts have investigated the transitions among different states. This paper employs the multi-region relaxed magnetohydrodynamic model to study the properties of QSH and other states. The stepped-pressure equilibrium code (SPEC) is used to compute MHD equilibria for the Keda Torus eXperiment (KTX). The toroidal volume of KTX is partitioned into two subvolumes by an internal transport barrier. The geometry of this barrier is adjusted to achieve force balance across the interface, ensuring that the plasma in each subvolume is force-free and that magnetic helicity is conserved. By varying the parameters, we generate distinct self-organized states in KTX. Our findings highlight the crucial role of magnetic helicity in shaping these states. In states with low magnetic helicity in both subvolumes, the plasma exhibits axisymmetric behavior. With increasing core helicity, the plasma gradually transforms from an axisymmetric state to a double-axis helical state and finally to a single-helical-axis state. Elevated core magnetic helicity leads to a more pronounced dominant mode of the boundary magnetic field and a reduced core magnetic shear. This is consistent with previous experimental and numerical results in other RFP devices. We find a linear relationship between the plasma current and helicity in different self-organized states. Our findings suggest that KTX may enter the QSH state when the toroidal current reaches 0.72 MA. This study demonstrates that the stellarator equilibrium code SPEC unveils crucial RFP equilibrium properties, rendering it applicable to a broad range of RFP devices and other toroidal configurations.

The Langmuir probe observed an increase in density and floating potential fluctuations after the sawtooth crash at the edge of HL-2A neutral beam injection heated plasma. This process initiates fluctuating-induced radial inward particle transport once the plasma enters a period with strong sawtooth crash. The inward transport comprises broad-band fluctuations with varying scales, which occur uniquely in the immediate aftermath of the sawtooth crash-driven outflow, signifying a transient phenomenon confined to that specific interval. These results demonstrate that the sawtooth crash can significantly impact edge turbulence by modifying electrostatic fluctuations. This modification changes the direction of electric fluctuation-induced particle transport, thereby reducing the influence of the intense sawtooth crash-driven outflow. Furthermore, the observations support the existence of a damping mechanism for the outflow during the formation of inward flux after the sawtooth crash, which may be associated with the recovery process of sawtooth cycle.

Abstract Background Intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment is recommended in subfertile women with AFS/ASRM stage I/II endometriosis. However, the efficacy of IUI in women with ovarian endometriomas with tubal patency is uncertain. We explored the efficacy of IUI for the treatment of endometrioma-associated subfertility. Methods We performed a retrospective matched cohort study using propensity matching (PSM) analysis. Subfertile couples undergoing IUI with and without ovarian stimulation between January 1, 2015, and May 30, 2020 were reviewed. Results After PSM, 56 women with endometrioma alone were matched to 173 patients with unexplained subfertility. The per-cycle pregnancy rate (PR) was comparable between women with endometrioma-associated subfertility (n = 56, 87 cycles) and women with unexplained subfertility (n = 173, 280 cycles) (9.2% vs. 17.9%, OR 0.47; 95% CI, 0.21–1.03). Subgroup analyses based on IUI with or without stimulation also resulted in comparable results. A trend toward a lower cumulative pregnancy rates (CPRs) was seen in women with endometrioma (14.3%, 8/56) compared with women with unexplained subfertility (28.9%, 50/173), but the differences were not significant (HR 0.49; 95% CI, 0.23–1.15). However, patients with endometrioma were nearly twice as likely to converse to IVF treatment compared with those without the disease (60.7% versus 43.9%; OR 1.97; 95% CI, 1.07–3.65). Conclusion IUI may be a viable approach for subfertile women with endometrioma and no other identifiable infertility factor. More studies are needed to reassure the findings.

Introduction Natural cycle (NC) and hormone replacement treatment (HT) are frequently used endometrial preparation protocols prior to frozen-thawed embryo transfer in ovulatory women. It is not clear which protocol results in a higher live birth rate. It has been suggested that there is an increased risk in maternal and perinatal morbidity following HT protocol due to the lack of corpus luteum. The objective of this trial is to compare the clinical outcomes of NC and HT protocols in frozen embryo transfer.Methods and analysis COMPETE is an open-label, single-centre, randomised controlled trial targeting to recruit 888 women, with 444 women each in two arms (1:1 treatment ratio). Women undergoing in vitro fertilisation scheduled for a frozen embryo transfer and have a regular menstrual cycle are eligible. Exclusion criteria include ovulation disorders and intrauterine adhesions. The primary outcome is live birth resulting from the first frozen embryo transfer after randomisation. Secondary outcomes include biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, miscarriage, endometrial thickness, cycle cancellation, gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, antepartum haemorrhage, preterm birth, birth weight, large for gestational age, congenital anomaly and perinatal mortality. The data analysis will be following the intention-to-treat principle.Ethics and dissemination This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Northwest women’s and children’s hospital (2020008). Written informed consent will be obtained from each participant before randomisation. The results of the trial will be presented via publications.Trial registration number ChiCTR2000040640.