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Background and Aim: Endoscopic resection has been successfully used for the removal of digestive submucosal tumors (SMTs). However, the cardia has been considered a challenging location for endoscopic resection due to its narrow lumen and sharp angle. The objective of this study was to establish a clinical scoring model to grade the technical difficulty of endoscopic resection for cardial SMTs. Methods: A total of 246 patients who suffered cardial SMTs and received endoscopic resection were included in this retrospective study. All of them were randomized into the training cohort (n = 123) or internal validation cohort (n = 123). Potential predictors were analyzed using univariate analysis. Then, covariates with P < 0.05 were selected for the multivariate logistic regression model. The β coefficients from the logistic regression model were used to create a scoring system for technical difficulty prediction by rounding the score to the nearest integer of the absolute β coefficient value. Results: The clinical score consisted of the following factors: male gender (2 points), extraluminal growth (3 points), and maximum diameter ≥3 cm (3 points). The scoring model demonstrated good discriminatory power, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.860 and a 95% confidence interval of 0.763–0.958. The model also showed a good goodness of fit in the Hosmer–Lemeshow test (P = 0.979). In the training cohort, the probability of encountering technical difficulty in the easy (score = 0), intermediate (score = 1–3), difficult (score = 4–6), and very difficult (score >6) categories was 0, 6.8%, 33.3%, and 100.0%, respectively; similarly, in the validation cohort, it was 0, 5.6%, 22.2%, and 50.0%, respectively. Conclusions: This scoring system could serve as a valuable tool for clinicians in predicting the technical difficulty of endoscopic resection for cardial SMTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding the impact of aortic regurgitation (AR) on hypertensive patients' hearts is important. Purpose: To assess left ventricular (LV) strain and structure in hypertensive patients and investigate the relationship with AR severity. Study Type: Retrospective. Population: 263 hypertensive patients (99 with AR) and 62 controls, with cardiac MRI data. Field Strength/Sequence: Balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) sequence at 3.0T. Assessment: AR was classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on echocardiographic findings. LV geometry was classified as normal, concentric remodeling, eccentric hypertrophy, or concentric hypertrophy based on MRI assessment of LV mass/volume ratio and LV Mass index (LVMI). LV global radial peak strain (GRPS), global circumferential peak strain (GCPS), and global longitudinal peak strain (GLPS) were obtained by post‐processing bSSFP cine datasets using commercial software. Statistical Tests: ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis test, Spearman's correlation coefficients (r), chi‐square test, and multivariable linear regression analysis. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Hypertensive patients with AR had significantly lower LV myocardial strain and higher LVMI than the group without AR (GRPS 26.25 ± 12.23 vs. 34.53 ± 9.85, GCPS −17.4 ± 5.84 vs. −20.57 ± 3.57, GLPS −9.86 ± 4.08 vs. −12.95 ± 2.94, LVMI 90.56 ± 38.56 vs.58.84 ± 17.55). Of the 99 patients with AR, 56 had mild AR, 26 had moderate AR and 17 had severe AR. The degree of AR was significantly negatively correlated to the absolute values of LV GRPS, GCPS and GLPS (r = −0.284 – −0.416). LV eccentric hypertrophy increased significantly with AR severity (no AR 21.3%, mild AR 42.9%, moderate AR 73.1%, severe AR 82.4%). In multivariable analysis, the degree of AR was an independent factor affecting LV global strain and LVMI even after considering confounding factors (β values for global myocardial strain were −0.431 to −0.484, for LVMI was 0.646). Data Conclusion: Increasing AR severity leads to decreased cardiac function and worse ventricular geometric phenotypes in hypertensive patients. Level of Evidence: 4 Technical Efficacy: Stage 3 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new noncentrosymmetric strontium borate, P1‐Sr2[B5O8(OH)]2 ⋅ [B(OH)3] ⋅ H2O (1), has been synthesized under the hydrothermal condition. The P1‐Sr2[B5O8(OH)]2 ⋅ [B(OH)3] ⋅ H2O shows a layered B−O network with 9‐ring windows in the ab plane. Sr2+ cations, H3BO3, and H2O molecules are located in the voids of layers and interlayers, respectively. The P1‐Sr2[B5O8(OH)]2 ⋅ [B(OH)3] ⋅ H2O is the first synthetic phase of veatchite, while the other three polymorphs are found in different natural minerals. This strontium borate is a potential deep‐ultraviolet‐transparent nonlinear‐optical (NLO) crystal whose second‐harmonic‐generation (SHG) intensity is 1.7 times that of KH2PO4 (KDP) and is phase‐matchable. The short wavelength cutoff edge of compound 1 is below 190 nm. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the B−O units are responsible for the nonlinear optical property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) continue to face a heightened risk of deteriorating cardiac function, and quantitative techniques of cardiac MRI‐derived cardiac structure and function provide an opportunity to explore the causes and mechanisms of cardiac deterioration. Purpose: To explore right–left ventricular interdependence in rTOF patients before and after the onset of right ventricular (RV) heart failure. Study Type: Retrospective. Population: One hundred eighteen rTOF patients (21.85 [16.74, 29.20] years, 58 females) and 34 controls (23.5 [21, 26.5] years, 17 females) that underwent cardiac MRI were analyzed, with rTOF patients being further subdivided into those with preserved RV function (N = 54) and those that experienced RV heart failure (N = 64). Field Strength/Sequence: 3.0 T/balanced steady‐state free precession sequence. Assessment: RV, left ventricular (LV), and septal strain; RV and LV volume. Statistical Tests: Chi‐squared tests or Fisher's exact test, One‐way ANOVAs with Bonferroni's post hoc test, Pearson/Spearman correlation, and multivariate backward linear regression analysis. A two‐tailed P < 0.05 was deemed as the significance threshold. Results: The MRI‐derived RV, LV, and septal strain decreased sequentially in controls, patients with preserved RV function, and patients with RV heart failure, with a good intra‐observer (0.909–0.964) and inter‐observer (0.879–0.937) agreement. Correlations between LV and RV strain were found to change sequentially with RV function and were the closest in rTOF patients with RV heart failure (r = −0.270 to 0.506). Correlations between RV volume and septal strain was variable in controls (r = 0.483 to −0.604), patients with preserved RV function (r = −0.034 to −0.295), and patients with RV heart failure (r = −0.026 to 0.500). Multivariate analyses revealed that the RV longitudinal strain was independently correlated with LV strain in three directions in rTOF patients with RV heart failure (Radial −0.70 [−1.33, −0.06]; Circumferential 0.44 [0.17, 0.72]; Longitudinal 0.54 [0.26, 0.81]). Data Conclusion: In rTOF patients, the coupling between RV volume and septal strain was broken during RV function compensation, and the adverse effect of RV on LV deformation was highest in patients with RV heart failure. Evidence Level: 4 Technical Efficacy: Stage 5 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoline‐fused polycyclic scaffolds are virtually universal in biological and pharmaceutical. Here we demonstrate a facile electrooxidative cascade cyclization for indoline‐based derivatives, employing amidyl radicals with ynones under mild conditions. The efficient method enables the formation of two new C−N and C−C bonds in a single step with high regioselectivity. Various indoline‐based tetracyclic 6/5/6/6 skeletons can be achieved through a biscyclization/dehydrogenation cascade process. Additionally, this electrochemical strategy proceeds in a sustainable metal‐ and oxidant‐free condition, with H2 being the solely byproduct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to provide more information for prognostic stratification for patients through an analysis of the T‐cell spatial landscape. It involved analyzing stained tissue sections of 80 patients with stage III lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) using multiplex immunofluorescence and exploring the spatial landscape of T cells and their relationship with prognosis in the center of the tumor (CT) and invasive margin (IM). In this study, multivariate regression suggested that the relative clustering of CT CD4+ conventional T cell (Tconv) to inducible Treg (iTreg), natural regulatory T cell (nTreg) to Tconv, terminal CD8+ T cell (tCD8) to helper T cell (Th), and IM Treg to tCD8 and the relative dispersion of CT nTreg to iTreg, IM nTreg to nTreg were independent risk factors for DFS. Finally, we constructed a spatial immunological score named the GT score, which had stronger prognostic correlation than IMMUNOSCORE® based on CD3/CD8 cell densities. The spatial layout of T cells in the tumor microenvironment and the proposed GT score can reflect the prognosis of patients with stage III LUAD more effectively than T‐cell density. The exploration of the T‐cell spatial landscape may suggest potential cell–cell interactions and therapeutic targets and better guide clinical decision‐making. © 2024 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this brief, a filtering power divider (FPD) with independently controllable four transmission zeros (TZs) and low insertion loss is designed and analyzed by using quad‐mode ring‐loaded resonator (QMRLR). The equivalent circuit of the proposed FPD is given, and the resonant characteristics of the resonator are analyzed. Due to the horizontal transmission interference of QMRLR, two TZs are realized. In addition, two TZs and one transmission pole are achieved by stepped impedance lines, achieving high selectivity within the passbands. The insertion loss is less than 0.5 dB, which is better than other FPDs. For demonstration, a prototype with center frequencies at 1.45 and 2.75 GHz is fabricated and measured. The measured and simulated results are presented with good agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Re‐resection of spinal giant cell tumors is an exceedingly difficult procedure. Moreover, the prognosis of patients with en bloc resection or intralesional excision for re‐resection has rarely been reported. This study aimed to compare the prognostic value of en bloc resection with that of intralesional excision in patients undergoing re‐resection for giant cell tumors of the spine. Methods: This retrospective analysis evaluated patients who underwent revision surgeries for relapse of giant cell tumors of the spine at our center between January 2005 and January 2021. Local progression‐free survival represents the duration between en bloc resection or intralesional excision and tumor recurrence. Neurological recovery, survival rates, local control, and complications were evaluated. The Kaplan–Meier estimator was used for survival analysis. Results: A total of 22 patients (nine men and 13 women) with a mean age of 34.1 (range 19–63) years were included. Significant statistical differences were found in the local tumor recurrence rate between patients treated with en bloc resection and those treated with intralesional excision (p < 0.05). The 5‐ and 10‐year local progression‐free survival rates were both 90% in the en bloc resection group, while in the intralesional excision group, the 5‐year local progression‐free survival rate was 80% with a 10‐year rate of 45.7%. The en bloc resection group had a lower local tumor recurrence rate than that of the intralesional excision group (p < 0.05), but the former had a higher rate of complications (p = 0.015). Conclusions: This study revealed a low local recurrence rate in patients who underwent en bloc resection for giant cell tumors, while the perioperative complication rate was high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endoscopic resection (ER) for jejunoileal lesions (JILs) has been technically challenging. We aimed to characterize the clinicopathologic characteristics, feasibility, and safety of ER for JILs. Method: We retrospectively investigated 52 patients with JILs who underwent ER from January 2012 to February 2022. We collected and analyzed clinicopathological characteristics, procedure‐related parameters, outcomes, and follow‐up data. Results: The mean age was 49.4 years. Of the 52 JILs, 33 ileal tumors within 20 cm from the ileocecal valve were resected with colonoscopy, while 19 tumors in the jejunum or the ileum over 20 cm from the ileocecal valve received enteroscopy resection. The mean procedure duration was 49.0 min. The en bloc resection and en bloc with R0 resection rates were 86.5% and 84.6%, respectively. Adverse events (AEs) included one (1.9%) major AE (delayed bleeding) and five (9.6%) minor AEs. During a median follow‐up of 36.5 months, two patients had local recurrence (3.8%), while none had metastases. The 5‐year recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) were 92.9% and 94.1%, respectively. Compared with the enteroscopy group, overall AEs were significantly lower in the colonoscopy group (P < 0.05), but no statistical differences were observed in RFS (P = 0.412) and DSS (P = 0.579). There were no significant differences in AEs, RFS, and DSS between the endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and the endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) group. Conclusions: ER of JILs has favorable short‐term and long‐term outcomes. Both ESD and EMR can safely and effectively resect JILs in appropriately selected cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The main subtypes of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs)--polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM)--are often presented as interstitial lung disease (ILD) in clinical practice; therefore, many researchers have combined the three studies into PM/DM with ILD. Methods: Using bibliometrics, the research status, progress, and hotspots of PM/DM with ILD between 2000 and 2022 were studied. Literature data on PM/DM with ILD were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) database for the research period. Visualization software, including VOSviewer, Pajek, CiteSpace, and Scimago Graphica were used for bibliometric analysis. Results: A total of 1555 relevant articles were obtained, and the overall research in this field showed an increasing trend. Regarding contributing countries and venues, Japan published the most articles while Rheumatology was the most prolific journal. Regarding authors, the most published article was by Wang Guochun from Changchun University of Technology in China. Keyword analysis and cocited literature cluster analysis showed that diagnosis, classification, autoantibodies, antibodies, prognosis, complications, and treatment of PM/DM with ILD have been hot topics in this field recently. Moreover, our study shows that anti-mda5 antibody, mortality, gene 5 antibody, IIMs, double-blind, and prognostic factors, among others, may be new hot topics. Conclusion: This study found that research on PM/DM with ILD has increased over time, and scholars are paying more attention to this field. The development of new drugs for the management, treatment, and prevention of PM/DM with ILD is the primary task of researchers and a direction for future research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several observational studies have reported an association between obesity and primary liver cancer (PLC), while the causality behind this association and the comparison of the risk effects of different obesity indicators on PLC remain unclear. In this study, we performed two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to assess the associations of genetically determined liver fat, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and body mass index (BMI) with the risk of PLC. The summary statistics of exposures were obtained from two genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) based on the UK Biobank (UKB) imaging cohort and the Genetic Epidemiology Research on Adult Health and Aging (GERA) cohort. GWAS summary statistics for PLC were obtained from FinnGen consortium R7 release data, including 304 PLC cases and 218 488 controls. Inverse‐variance weighted (IVW) was used as the primary analysis, and a series of sensitivity analyses were performed to further verify the robustness of these findings. IVW analysis highlighted a significant association of genetically determined liver fat (OR per SD increase: 7.14; 95% CI: 5.10‐9.99; P = 2.35E‐30) and VAT (OR per SD increase: 5.70; 95% CI: 1.32‐24.72; P =.020) with PLC but not of BMI with PLC. The findings were further confirmed by a series of MR methods. No evidence of horizontal pleiotropy between these associations existed. Our study suggested that genetically determined liver fat and VAT rather than BMI were associated with an increased risk of PLC, which suggested that visceral fat distribution is more predictive of the clinical risk of PLC than common in vitro measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a wideband balanced filtering coupled‐line coupler (BFCLC) with improved directivity is designed. By using coupled microstrip–slotline, the proposed BFCLC realizes tight coupling while maintaining good isolation. A lattice equivalent circuit is introduced for the coupled microstrip–slotline. Good differential‐mode transmission and high common‐mode suppression are achieved through the application of microstrip/slotline transition structures. Additional stubs are taken to compensate for the odd‐ and even‐mode phase velocities of the coupled microstrip–slotline. Transmission zeros can also be adjusted to improve selectivity. Based on the proposed BFCLC, a coupler with a smaller size using solely the slotline is designed. Two proposed couplers are manufactured to validate the theoretical design, and a good agreement between the simulation and measurement is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review focuses on the potential ameliorative effects of polyphenolic compounds derived from human diet on hepatic diseases. It discusses the molecular mechanisms and recent advancements in clinical applications. Edible polyphenols have been found to play a therapeutic role, particularly in liver injury, liver fibrosis, NAFLD/NASH, and HCC. In the regulation of liver injury, polyphenols exhibit anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects, primarily targeting the TGF‐β, NF‐κB/TLR4, PI3K/AKT, and Nrf2/HO‐1 signaling pathways. In the regulation of liver fibrosis, polyphenolic compounds effectively reverse the fibrotic process by inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC). Furthermore, polyphenolic compounds show efficacy against NAFLD/NASH by inhibiting lipid oxidation and accumulation, mediated through the AMPK, SIRT, and PPARγ pathways. Moreover, several polyphenolic compounds exhibit anti‐HCC activity by suppressing tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. This inhibition primarily involves blocking Akt and Wnt signaling, as well as inhibiting the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). Additionally, clinical trials and nutritional evidence support the notion that certain polyphenols can improve liver disease and associated metabolic disorders. However, further fundamental research and clinical trials are warranted to validate the efficacy of dietary polyphenols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: Limited data are available regarding pre‐liver transplantation (LT) bacteremia in adults with end‐stage liver disease. In this study, we investigated the risk factors independently associated with pre‐LT bacteremia and their effects on clinical outcomes of LT. Methods: This retrospective study performed between 2010 and 2021 included 1287 LT recipients. The study population was categorized into patients with pre‐LT bacteremia and those without pre‐LT infection. Pre‐LT bacteremia was defined as bacteremia detected within 90 days before LT. Results: Among 1287 LT recipients, 92 (7.1%) developed pre‐LT bacteremia. The mean interval between bacteremia and LT was 28.3 ± 19.5 days. Of these 92 patients, seven (7.6%) patients died after LT. Of the 99 microorganisms isolated in this study, gram‐negative bacteria were the most common microbes (72.7%). Bacteremia was mainly attributed to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. The most common pathogen isolated was Escherichia coli (25.2%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.2%), and Staphylococcus aureus (15.1%). Multivariate analysis showed that massive ascites (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.67, 95% confidence Interval [CI] 1.048–2.687) and a prolonged international normalized ratio for prothrombin time (adjusted OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.074–1.257) were independent risk factors for pre‐LT bacteremia in patients with end‐stage liver disease. Intensive care unit and in‐hospital stay were significantly longer, and in‐hospital mortality was significantly higher among LT recipients with pre‐LT bacteremia than among those without pre‐LT infection. Conclusions: This study highlights predictors of pre‐LT bacteremia in patients with end‐stage liver disease. Pre‐LT bacteremia increases the post‐transplantation mortality risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: MicroRNAs (miRs) are involved in endogenous neurogenesis, enhancing of which has been regarded as a potential therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke treatment; however, whether miR‐199a‐5p mediates postischemic neurogenesis remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the proneurogenesis effects of miR‐199a‐5p and its possible mechanism after ischemic stroke. Methods: Neural stem cells (NSCs) were transfected using Lipofectamine 3000 reagent, and the differentiation of NSCs was evaluated by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the target gene of miR‐199a‐5p. MiR‐199a‐5p agomir/antagomir were injected intracerebroventricularly. The sensorimotor functions were evaluated by neurobehavioral tests, infarct volume was measured by toluidine blue staining, neurogenesis was detected by immunofluorescence assay, and the protein levels of neuronal nuclei (NeuN), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), caveolin‐1 (Cav‐1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were measured by Western blotting. Results: MiR‐199a‐5p mimic enhanced neuronal differentiation and inhibited astrocyte differentiation of NSCs, while a miR‐199a‐5p inhibitor induced the opposite effects, which can be reversed by Cav‐1 siRNA. Cav‐1 was through the dual‐luciferase reporter assay confirmed as a target gene of miR‐199a‐5p. miR‐199a‐5p agomir in rat stroke models manifested multiple benefits, such as improving neurological deficits, reducing infarct volume, promoting neurogenesis, inhibiting Cav‐1, and increasing VEGF and BDNF, which was reversed by the miR‐199a‐5p antagomir. Conclusion: MiR‐199a‐5p may target and inhibit Cav‐1 to enhance neurogenesis and thus promote functional recovery after cerebral ischemia. These findings indicate that miR‐199a‐5p is a promising target for the treatment of ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Delayed bleeding is a rare but important major adverse event (mAE) after endoscopic submucosal tunneling procedures (ESTP), which is scarcely reported. We aimed to characterize the clinical characteristics of delayed bleeding and provide better management of this mAE. Method: From August 2010 to October 2022, we reviewed 3852 patients with achalasia receiving peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) and 1937 patients with upper gastrointestinal tumors receiving submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER). Among these, records of 22 patients (15 POEM, 7 STER) with delayed bleeding were collected. Clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of delayed bleeding were analyzed. Results: The mean age was 43.6 years. Ten patients (45.5%) were intratunnel bleeding, seven (31.8%) were intratunnel bleeding accompanied by mucosal bleeding, and five (22.7%) were mucosal bleeding. The most common accompanied symptoms were hematemesis, fever, and melena. The most common accompanied mAEs were fistula, pulmonary inflammation, and pleural effusion with atelectasis. The mean duration from ESTP to endoscopic intervention was 5.3 ± 4.9 days. Active bleeding was identified in 21 patients (95.5%). The bleeding was successfully controlled by electrocoagulation (19 cases), endoscopic clipping (six cases), and Sengstaken–Blakemore tube insertion (three cases), and no patient required surgical intervention. The mean hemostatic procedure duration was 61.8 ± 45.8 min. The mean post‐bleeding hospital stay was 10.0 ± 6.2 days. A brief meta‐analysis of previous studies showed the pooled estimate delayed bleeding rate after POEM, STER, and G‐POEM was 0.4%. Conclusions: Delayed bleeding is uncommon and could be effectively managed by timely emergency endoscopic procedures without requiring subsequent surgical interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the flame retardancy of carbon fiber reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6/CF) composites and eliminate the "candlewick effect" caused by CFs, a lamellar cerium phenylphosphonate (CeHPP) was synthetized through reflux method and combined with aluminum diethylphosphinate (ADP) to prepare flame retardant carbon fiber reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6/CF) composites. Transmission electron micrographs (TEM) showed that both CeHPPs and ADPs dispersed homogenously in PA6 matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that CeHPPs had excellent thermal stability and abundant char residues. Compared to PA6/CF, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) of PA6/CF-10ADP increased from 27.5% to 36.4%, with no melt droplets during burning. After replacing 2 wt% ADPs to CeHPPs, PA6/CF-8ADP-2CeHPP reached to UL-94 V-0 rating with a LOI of 35.6% and the total heat release (THR) decreased by 37.2% in cone calorimeter test. CeHPPs had good synergistic effect with ADPs, and CeHPPs could form a continuous and compact char layer in PA6/CF composites to block the combustible gas spillage and heat transfer along the CFs, thus significantly attenuating the "candlewick effect" and improving the flame retardancy of PA6/CF composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mitral regurgitation may occur when hypertension causes left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) remodeling. However, its role in LA function in hypertensive patients remains unclear. Purpose: To explore how mitral regurgitation affects LA function in hypertension and to investigate atrioventricular interaction in hypertensive patients with mitral regurgitation. Study Type: Retrospective. Population: A total of 193 hypertensive cases and 64 controls. Field Strength/Sequence: A 3.0 T/balanced steady‐state free precession. Assessment: LA volume (LAV), LA strain (reservoir, conduit, and active), LA ejection fraction, and LV strain (global peak longitudinal [GLS], circumferential [GCS], and radial strain [GRS]) were evaluated and compared among groups. Regurgitant fraction (RF) was evaluated in regurgitation patients and used to subdivide patients into mild (RF: 0%–30%), moderate (RF: 30%–50%), and severe (RF: >50%) regurgitation categories. Statistical Tests: One‐way analysis of variance, Spearman and Pearson's correlation coefficients (r), and multivariable linear regression analysis. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Hypertensive patients without mitral regurgitation showed significantly impaired LA reservoir and conduit functions and significantly decreased LV GLS but preserved pump function and LAV compared to controls (P = 0.193–1.0). Hypertensive cases with mild regurgitation (N = 22) had significantly enlarged LAV and further reduced LA reservoir function, while the group with moderate regurgitation (N = 20) showed significantly reduced LA pump function, further impaired conduit function, and significantly reduced LV strain. The severe regurgitation (N = 13) group demonstrated significantly more severely impaired LA and LV functions and LAV enlargement. Multivariable linear regression showed that regurgitation degree, GRS, GCS, and GLS were independently correlated with the LA reservoir, conduit, and active strain in hypertensive patients with mitral regurgitation. Data Conclusion: Mitral regurgitation may exacerbate LA and LV impairment in hypertension. Regurgitation degree, LV GRS, GCS, and GLS were independent determinants of the LA strain in hypertensive patients with mitral regurgitation, which demonstrated atrioventricular interaction. Evidence Level: 4. Technical Efficacy: Stage 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metabolic dysfunction‐associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) was recently recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Purpose: To examine the effect of MAFLD on cardiac function in metabolic syndrome by MRI. Study Type: Retrospective. Population: One hundred seventy‐nine patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS), 101 with MAFLD (MAFLD [+]) and 78 without (MAFLD [−]). Eighty‐one adults without any of the components of MetS or cardiac abnormalities were included as control group. Field Strength/Sequence: 3.0 T; balanced steady‐state free precession sequence. Assessment: Left atrial (LA) strain was assessed during three phases: reservoir strain (LA‐RS), conduit strain (LA‐CS), and booster strain (LA‐BS). Left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal (LV‐GLS) strain was also derived. The left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI) was calculated as the ratio of LA end‐diastolic volume (LA‐EDV) and LV‐EDV. Statistical Tests: Student's t test or Mann–Whitney U test; One‐way analysis of variance. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among MetS patients, individuals with MAFLD had significantly lower magnitude LV‐GLS (−11.6% ± 3.3% vs. −13.8% ± 2.7%) than those without MAFLD. For LA strains, LA‐RS (36.9% ± 13.7% vs. 42.9% ± 13.5%) and LA‐CS (20.0% ± 10.6% vs. 24.1% ± 9.2%) were also significantly reduced in MAFLD (+) compared to MAFLD (−). The LACIs (17.2% [12.9–21.2] % vs. 15.8% [12.2–19.7] %) were significantly higher in patients with MAFLD compared to those without MAFLD. After adjustment for other clinical factors, MAFLD was found to be independently correlated with LV‐GLS (β = −0.270) and LACI (β = 0.260). Data Conclusion: MAFLD had an unfavorable effect on LV myocardial strain in MetS. Moreover, LA strain and atrioventricular coupling were further impaired in patients with concomitant MAFLD compared to those without MAFLD. Last, MAFLD was independently associated with subclinical LV dysfunction and atrioventricular coupling after adjustment for other clinical factors. Evidence Level: 3 Technical Efficacy: 3 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycoside hydrolase (GH) family members act as virulence factors and regulate plant immune responses during pathogen infection. Here, we characterized the GH28 family member endopolygalacturonase VdEPG1 in Verticillium dahliae. VdEPG1 acts as a virulence factor during V. dahliae infection. The expression level of VdEPG1 was greatly increased in V. dahliae inoculated on cotton roots. VdEPG1 suppressed VdNLP1‐mediated cell death by modulating pathogenesis‐related genes in Nicotiana benthamiana. Knocking out VdEPG1 led to a significant decrease in the pathogenicity of V. dahliae in cotton. The deletion strains were more susceptible to osmotic stress and the ability of V. dahliae to utilize carbon sources was deficient. In addition, the deletion strains lost the ability to penetrate cellophane membrane, with mycelia showing a disordered arrangement on the membrane, and spore development was affected. A jasmonic acid (JA) pathway‐related gene, GhOPR9, was identified as interacting with VdEPG1 in the yeast two‐hybrid system. The interaction was further confirmed by bimolecular fluorescence complementation and luciferase complementation imaging assays in N. benthamiana leaves. GhOPR9 plays a positive role in the resistance of cotton to V. dahliae by regulating JA biosynthesis. These results indicate that VdEPG1 may be able to regulate host immune responses as a virulence factor through modulating the GhOPR9‐mediated JA biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptochrome 1 (CRY1) functions as a light‐responsive photoreceptor, which is crucial for circadian rhythms. The identity and function of CRY1 in Plutella xylostella remain unknown. In this study, cry1 was cloned and identified in P. xylostella. Then, a cry1‐knockout strain (Cry1‐KO) of P. xylostella with a 2‐bp deletion was established from the strain Geneva 88 (G88) using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. No daily temporal oscillation of cry1 was observed in G88 and Cry1‐KO, and cry1 mean daily transcription of Cry1‐KO was lower than that of G88. Both G88 and Cry1‐KO demonstrated rhythmic locomotion under the light/dark condition with Cry1‐KO being more active than G88 in the daytime, whereas Cry1‐KO completely lost rhythmicity under constant darkness. The developmental period of pre‐adult of Cry1‐KO was longer than that of G88; the lifespan of the Cry1‐KO male adult was shorter than that of G88; the fecundity of Cry1‐KO was lower than that of G88; and Cry1‐KO showed lower intrinsic rate of increase (r), net reproduction rate (R0), finite increase rate (λ), and longer mean generation time (T) than G88. Our results indicate that cry1 is involved in the regulation of locomotor circadian rhythm and development in P. xylostella, providing a potential target gene for controlling the pest and a basis for further investigation on circadian rhythms in lepidopterans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wave of the Internet era created by computer and communication technology, flexible sensors play an important role in accurately collecting information owing to their excellent flexibility, ductility, freeform bending or folding, and versatile structural shapes. By endowing elastomeric polymers with conductivity, researchers have recently devoted extensive efforts toward developing high-performance flexible sensors based on elastomeric conductive layers and exploring their potential applications in diverse fields ranging from project manufacturing to daily life. This review reports the recent advancements in elastomeric polymers used to make conductive layers, as well as the relationships between elastomeric polymers and the performance and application of flexible sensors are comprehensively summarized. First, the principles and methods for using elastomeric polymers to construct conductive layers are provided. Then, the fundamental design, unique properties, and underlying mechanisms in different flexible sensors (pressure/strain, temperature, humidity) and their related applications are revealed. Finally, this review concludes with a perspective on the challenges and future directions of high-performance flexible sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel MICB*014:02 allele differs from MICB*014:01:01 by one nucleotide change in exon 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the subtype of breast cancer with the worst prognosis, and it is highly heterogeneous. There is growing evidence that the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) plays a crucial role in tumor development, maintenance, and treatment responses. Notably however, the full effects of the TIME on prognosis, TIME characteristics, and immunotherapy responses in TNBC patients have not been fully elucidated. Methods: Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas data were used to data analysis. Single‐cell sequencing and tissue microarray analysis were used to investigate gene expression. The concentrations and distributions of immune cell types were determined and analyzed using the CIBERSORT strategy. Tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion score and the IMvigor210 cohort were used to estimate the sensitivity of TNBC patients with different prognostic statuses to immune checkpoint treatment. Results: Five immune‐related genes associated with TNBC prognosis (IL6ST, NR2F1, CKLF, TCF7L2, and HSPA2) was identified and a prognostic evaluation model was constructed based on those genes. The respective areas under the curve of the prognostic nomogram model at 3 and 5 years were 0.791 and 0.859. The group with a lower nomogram score, with a better prognosis survival status and clinical treatment benefit rate. Conclusion: A prognostic model for TNBC that was closely related to the immune landscape and therapeutic responses was constructed. This model may help clinicians to make more precise and personalized treatment decisions pertaining to TNBC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A recent study confirmed that thiolutin (THL), as a potent inflammasome inhibitor, plays a promising therapeutic role in multiple inflammatory disease models. However, the effect of THL on psoriasis has not been reported so far. Methods: A psoriasiform dermatitis model was prepared by applying 5% imiquimod (IMQ) cream on mice. A total of 36 mice were randomly divided into six groups: control, model, model + THL‐L/M/H (THL, 1/2.5/5 mg/kg/day), model + methotrexate (1 mg/kg/day). Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores were observed and calculated. The histological changes in skin, liver, and kidney tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, and blood creatinine were measured by automatic biochemistry analyzer. The size of the spleens was determined, and the proportion of Foxp3 + CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells in the spleens was tested by flow cytometry. The proinflammatory factors and nucleotide oligomerization domain nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome protein levels were examined by reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results: THL administration preeminently reduced the thickness, scaling, and erythema of the skin lesions, alleviated IMQ‐induced psoriasiform lesions in mice, reduced the PASI score, and ameliorated histopathological changes in mouse skin. The spleen index was decreased by almost half and the proportion of Foxp3 + CD4+ Treg cells was increased after intervention by THL. THL intervention did not affect liver and kidney function, but decreased the expression levels of proinflammatory factors and NLRP3 inflammasome in the skin of psoriatic mice. Conclusions: THL may alleviate IMQ‐induced psoriasis‐like manifestations in mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneous electrochemical ring contraction and expansion reactions remain unexplored to date. Herein, the reductive electrosynthesis of heterocycle‐fused fulleroids from fullerotetrahydropyridazines and electrophiles in the presence of a trace amount of oxygen has been achieved with concurrent ring contraction and ring expansion. When trifluoroacetic acid and alkyl bromides are employed as electrophiles, heterocycle‐fused fulleroids with a 1,1,2,6‐configuration are regioselectively formed. In contrast, heterocycle‐fused fulleroids with a 1,1,4,6‐configuration are regioselectively produced as two separable stereoisomers if phthaloyl chloride is used as the electrophile. The reaction proceeds through multiple steps of electroreduction, heterocycle ring‐opening, oxygen oxidation, heterocycle contraction, fullerene cage expansion, and nucleophilic addition. The structures of these fulleroids have been determined by spectroscopic data and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses. The observed high regioselectivities have been rationalized by theoretical calculations. Representative fulleroids have been applied in organic solar cells as the third component and exhibit good performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Protein lysine acetylation is an important post‐translational modification mechanism involved in cellular regulation in eukaryotes. Calmodulin (CaM) is a ubiquitous Ca2+ sensor in eukaryotes and is crucial for plant immunity, but it is so far unclear whether acetylation is involved in CaM‐mediated plant immunity. Here, we found that GhCaM7 is acetylated upon Verticillium dahliae (V. dahliae) infection and a positive regulator of V. dahliae resistance. Overexpressing GhCaM7 in cotton and Arabidopsis enhances V. dahliae resistance and knocking‐down GhCaM7 makes cotton more susceptible to V. dahliae. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing GhCaM7 with mutation at the acetylation site are more susceptible to V. dahliae than transgenics overexpressing the wild‐type GhCaM7, implying the importance of the acetylated GhCaM7 in response to V. dahliae infection. Yeast two‐hybrid, bimolecular fluorescent complementation, luciferase complementation imaging, and coimmunoprecipitation assays demonstrated interaction between GhCaM7 and an osmotin protein GhOSM34 that was shown to have a positive role in V. dahliae resistance. GhCaM7 and GhOSM34 are co‐localized in the cell membrane. Upon V. dahliae infection, the Ca2+ content reduces almost instantly in plants with downregulated GhCaM7 or GhOSM34. Down regulating GhOSM34 enhances accumulation of Na+ and increases cell osmotic pressure. Comparative transcriptomic analyses between cotton plants with an increased or reduced expression level of GhCaM7 and wild‐type plants indicate the involvement of jasmonic acid signaling pathways and reactive oxygen species in GhCaM7‐enabled disease resistance. Together, these results demonstrate the involvement of CaM protein in the interaction between cotton and V. dahliae, and more importantly, the involvement of the acetylated CaM in the interaction. Significance Statement: GhCaM7 positively regulator cotton defense responses to Verticillium dahliae by acetylation and interacting with osmotin protein GhOSM34, leading to activation of Ca2+, jasmonic acid, and reactive oxygen species signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metabolic and hemodynamic alterations in metabolic syndrome (MetS) can cause a reduced myocardial energetic efficiency (MEE). Indexed MEE (MEEi), as a simple estimate of MEE, is emerging as a novel and useful imaging parameter. Purpose: To investigate the impact of MetS on MEE and systolic myocardial strain and to assess any sex difference. Study type: Retrospective. Population: A total of 161 patients with MetS (female: n = 82, 52.2 ± 11.7 years; male: n = 79, 51.8 ± 10.6 years) and 77 healthy subjects (female: n = 46, 52.7 ± 8.2 years; male: n = 31, 54.1 ± 11.2 years). Patients with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction <50% were excluded. Field Strength/Sequence: A 3.0 T; balanced steady‐state free precession sequence. Assessment: LV volumes and mass (LVM) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were obtained by MRI. Stroke volume (SV) divided by HR was used as a surrogate measure of MEE and normalized to LVM (MEEi). Statistical Tests: Student's t‐test or Mann–Whitney U‐test; Multivariable linear regression (coefficient of determination, R2). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: For both males and females, MEEi and GLS were lower in MetS patients than in the normal controls. Among MetS patients, men had significantly higher LVM (59.7 ± 13.4 g/m2 vs. 48.8 ± 11.3 g/m2) and significantly lower MEEi (0.68 ± 0.23 mL/g/s vs. 0.84 ± 0.23 mL/g/s) and GLS (−11.7% ± 2.8% vs. −13.9% ± 2.7%) than women. After adjustment for clinical variables, male gender (β = −0.291) was found to be inversely correlated with MEEi. Multivariable analysis showed that MEEi (β = 0.454) were independently associated with GLS (adjusted R2 = 0.454) after adjustment for clinical and other MRI parameters. Data Conclusion: MEEi was significantly impaired in MetS without overt systolic dysfunction. There was a sex difference regarding the cardiac alterations in MetS, with men having significantly lower MEEi and GLS and significantly higher LVM than women. Further, MEEi was independently associated with GLS. Evidence Level: 3 Technical Efficacy: Stage 3 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distal metastases from breast cancer, especially bone metastases, are extremely common in the late stages of the disease and are associated with a poor prognosis. EMT is a biomarker of the early process of bone metastasis, and MMP‐9 and MMP‐13 are important osteoclastic activators. Previously, we found that meso‐Hannokinol (HA) could significantly inhibit EMT and MMP‐9 and MMP‐13 expressions in breast cancer cells. On this basis, we further explored the role of HA in breast cancer bone metastasis. In vivo, we established a breast cancer bone metastasis model by intracardially injecting breast cancer cells. Intraperitoneal injections of HA significantly reduced breast cancer cell metastasis to the leg bone in mice and osteolytic lesions caused by breast cancer. In vitro, HA inhibited the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells and suppressed the expressions of EMT, MMP‐9, MMP‐13, and other osteoclastic activators. HA inhibited EMT and MMP‐9 by activating the ROS/JNK pathway as demonstrated by siJNK and SP600125 inhibition of JNK phosphorylation and NAC scavenging of ROS accumulation. Moreover, HA promoted bone formation and inhibited bone resorption in vitro. In conclusion, our findings suggest that HA may be an excellent candidate for treating breast cancer bone metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) generally shows low or undetectable expression in most normal tissues but is highly expressed in fibroblasts in almost all carcinomas. FAP is one of the potential molecules to detect activated fibroblasts and has multiple roles in tumour progression. We generated transgenic mice that specifically expressed tdTomato along with FAP promoter activity. Coculturing a mouse gastric cancer cell line and FAP‐tdTomato transgenic mouse‐derived fibroblasts showed that tdTomato expression was elevated in the cocultured fibroblasts. Moreover, stomach wall transplanted tumours in mice also showed FAP‐tdTomato expression in fibroblasts of the stomach and each metastatic legion. These results indicated that FAP‐tdTomato expression in fibroblasts was elevated by stimulation through the interaction with cancer cells. Functionally, collagen production was increased in FAP/tdTomato‐positive fibroblasts cocultured with mouse cancer cells. These FAP‐tdTomato transgenic mice have the potential to be used to investigate real‐time FAP dynamics and the importance of FAP expression in tumour development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spine is the most common site of bone metastases. Many cancer patients will ultimately develop spinal metastatic disease with symptomatic epidural spinal cord compression. At present, the main treatment for cervical spine tumors is surgical resection combined with postoperative radiotherapy. Implant materials for cervical spine anterior column reconstruction need to meet amounts of different properties, such as biocompatibility, bioactivity and the ability to maintain long‐term mechanical strength. The selection of different materials determines the surgical efficacy and prognosis of patients to a certain extent. This article provides an overview of a variety of implant materials used for anterior column reconstruction after cervical spine tumor resection, introduces and analyzes their properties, advantages, disadvantages, derivatives, and applications in clinical practice, and looks forward to the future development of implant materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strategy of replacing a completely damaged spinal cord with allogenic adult spinal cord tissues (aSCs) can potentially repair complete spinal cord injury (SCI) in combination with immunosuppressive drugs, such as tacrolimus (Tac), which suppress transplant rejection and improve graft survival. However, daily systemic administration of immunosuppressive agents may cause harsh side effects. Herein, a localized, sustained Tac‐release collagen hydrogel (Col/Tac) was developed to maximize the immune regulatory efficacy but minimize the side effects of Tac after aSC transplantation in complete SCI recipients. Thoracic aSCs of rat donors were transplanted into the complete thoracic spinal cord transection rat recipients, after which Col/Tac hydrogel was implanted. The Tac‐encapsulated collagen hydrogel exhibited suitable mechanical properties and long‐term sustained Tac release behaviour. After Col/Tac hydrogel implantation in SCI rats with aSC transplantation, the recipients' survival rate significantly improved and the side effects on tissues were reduced compared with those with conventional Tac medication. Moreover, treatment with the Col/Tac hydrogel exhibited similarly reduced immune rejection levels by regulating immune responses and promoted neurogenesis compared to daily Tac injections, and thus improved functional restoration. Localized delivery of immunosuppressive agents by the Col/Tac hydrogel may be a promising strategy for overcoming immune rejection of transplants, with significant potential for clinical application in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Watch a video of this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficiency of drug biosynthesis depends on different transcriptional regulatory pathways in Streptomyces, and the protein degradation system adds another layer of complexity to the regulatory processes. AtrA, a transcriptional regulator in the A‐factor regulatory cascade, stimulates the production of daptomycin by binding to the dptE promoter in Streptomyces roseosporus. Using pull‐down assays, bacterial two‐hybrid system and knockout verification, we demonstrated that AtrA is a substrate for ClpP protease. Furthermore, we showed that ClpX is necessary for AtrA recognition and subsequent degradation. Bioinformatics analysis, truncating mutation, and overexpression proved that the AAA motifs of AtrA were essential for initial recognition in the degradation process. Finally, overexpression of mutated atrA (AAA‐QQQ) in S. roseosporus increased the yield of daptomycin by 225% in shake flask and by 164% in the 15 L bioreactor. Thus, improving the stability of key regulators is an effective method to promote the ability of antibiotic synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Immune‐mediated neuroinflammation has been proposed to underlie the loss of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) myenteric neurons in achalasia. However, the immune status and key pathogenic immune subpopulations remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the inflammatory status of patients with achalasia and their correlation with clinical characteristics, and further explore the key pathogenic subpopulations. Methods: We investigated the complete blood cell count and inflammatory markers in a large population of patients with achalasia (n = 341) and healthy controls (n = 80). The subpopulations of lymphocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry. Immunofluorescence was used to determine immune cell infiltration in the LES. Transcriptome changes of the key subpopulation were determined by RNA sequencing analysis. Results: NLR, MLR, CRP, globulin, IL‐6 and IL‐10 were significantly elevated in patients with achalasia. MLR and globulin were positively correlated with disease duration. The absolute count and percentage of CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood and its infiltration around ganglion in the LES were significantly increased in achalasia. Transcriptome analysis indicated that CD8+ T cells were activated and proliferative. In addition to multiple inflammatory pathways, regulation of neuroinflammatory response pathway was also significantly up‐regulated in achalasia. GSEA analysis revealed a close association with autoimmune diseases. Conclusions: Patients with achalasia suffered from chronic low‐grade inflammation with dysregulated immune cells and mediators associated with disease duration. CD8+ T cells might be the key pathogenic subpopulation of achalasia. Our results provide an important immune cell signature of the pathogenesis of achalasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the emergence of drug resistance and high morbidity and mortality, the need for novel anti‐influenza A virus (IAV) drugs with divergent targets is highly sought after. Herein, a novel quinolone alkaloid (QLA) derived from marine fungus was discovered with broad‐spectrum anti‐IAV activities with low toxicity. Distinct from current anti‐IAV drugs, QLA may block virus replication and viral RNA (vRNA) export from the nucleus by targeting virus nucleoprotein (NP). QLA can block the binding of chromosome region maintenance 1 to nuclear export signal 3 of NP to inhibit the nuclear export of NP and vRNP. QLA may also affect vRNP assembly by interfering with the binding of NP to RNA rather than NP oligomerization. Arg305 and Phe488‐Gly490 may be required for the interaction between QLA and NP, and the binding pocket around these amino acids may be a promising target for anti‐IAV drugs. Importantly, oral administration of QLA can protect the mice against IAV‐induced death and weight loss, superior to the effects of the clinical drug oseltamivir. In summary, the marine derived compound QLA has the potential to be developed into a novel anti‐IAV agent targeting virus NP protein in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is among the most common malignant cancers in women. B‐cell‐specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1 (BMI‐1) is a transcriptional repressor that has been shown to be involved in tumorigenesis, the cell cycle, and stem cell maintenance. In our study, increased expression of BMI‐1 was found in both human triple negative breast cancer and luminal A‐type breast cancer tissues compared with adjacent tissues. We also found that knockdown of BMI‐1 significantly suppressed cell proliferation and migration in vitro and in vivo. Further mechanistic research demonstrated that BMI‐1 directly bound to the promoter region of CDKN2D/BRCA1 and inhibited its transcription in MCF‐7/MDA‐MB‐231. More importantly, we discovered that knockdown of CDKN2D/BRCA1 could promote cell proliferation and migration after repression by PTC‐209. Our results reveal that BMI‐1 transcriptionally suppressed BRCA1 in TNBC cell lines whereas, in luminal A cell lines, CDKN2D was the target gene. This provides a reference for the precise treatment of different types of breast cancer in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are an economical and multi-functional nanofiller that can further elevate the versatile performance of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP). The past two decades have seen significant progress in the design, fabrication, and characterization of CNTs modified FRPs (CNT-FRPs). The introduction of CNTs has been proven to enhance the key mechanical properties of CNT-FRPs and endow the composite with additional functional properties. In this review, the fabrication routes of CNT incorporation into FRPs are first discussed, and then the critical effects of CNTs on various mechanical properties of CNT-FRPs are described. Next, as a complement to the experimental results, modeling studies on CNT-FRPs are included to reveal the underlying structural effects, followed by a discussion on the reinforcement and toughening mechanisms of CNT-FRPs. The intent of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary on CNT modified FRP composites, and to shed light on the future research and development of CNT modified composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blaps rhynchopetera (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a beetle that is widely used in folk medicine in Southwest China. The defensive glands of B. rhynchopetera secrete a complex mixture of defensive fluids, which are invaluable sources of bioactive substances for potential biotechnological applications. To provide broader insight into the genetic and biochemical basis of these defensive secretions, we performed RNA sequencing and transcriptome analysis on the defensive glands of B. rhynchopetera. We also identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the defensive gland tissue using selected muscle tissue as a control. We then performed GO and KEGG enrichment analysis on the DEGs to analyze expression patterns characteristic of the defensive glands. In total, we obtained 283,921,912 high‐quality clean reads, which we assembled into 39,735 transcripts with a mean length of 1,300.94 bp. These transcripts were then assembled into 27,104 unigenes with an average length of 1,143.05 bp. DEG analysis showed that 1,666 genes were significantly up‐regulated and 2,565 genes were significantly down‐regulated in defense gland tissues. GO enrichment analysis of these DEGs revealed that most genes were enriched in GO terms related to substance metabolism and transport. KEGG pathway enrichment results showed that lysosome‐related pathways were the most highly enriched in DEGs, while many pathways related to specific metabolic pathways—such as N‐glycan biosynthesis and insect hormone biosynthesis—were significantly up‐regulated. Finally, it is also important to note that most GO terms related to pathogen defense as well as genes enriched in associated KEGG pathways were also significantly down‐regulated in defensive gland tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZnCo2O4 has been attracted wide research attention as a promising anode material for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) in recent years based on its high theoretical specific capacity, low toxicity as well as stable chemical properties. However, the further large‐scale application of pristine ZnCo2O4 anode have been impeded because of its undesirable Li+ ion conductivity, low electronic conductivity, and finite stability of electrolytes at high potentials. Recently, optimizing the micro/nano structure, modification with carbonaceous materials, incorporation with metal oxides and constructing a binder‐free structure on conductive substrate for ZnCo2O4‐based materials have been verified as promising effective routes for solving the above problems. In this review, the recent advances in underlying reaction mechanisms, synthetic methods and strategies for improving the performance of ZnCo2O4 anodes are comprehensively summarized. The factors affecting the electrochemical properties of ZnCo2O4‐based materials are mainly discussed, and paths to promote the specific capacity and cyclic stability are proposed. Finally, several insights into the future developments, challenges, and prospects of ZnCo2O4‐based anode materials of LIBs are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Spinal metastases of lung cancer (SMLC) usually have high degree of malignancy and require surgical treatment. However, there are several controversies about the efficacy of surgery. This study aimed to investigate factors predicting prognosis of SMLC after surgery‐based comprehensive treatment. Methods: A cohort of 112 cases of SMLC who underwent surgical treatment between 2009 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. The surgical strategies included total en‐bloc spondylectomy, debulking surgery, palliative decompression, and vertebral augmentation procedures. The patients were regularly followed‐up. Survival analysis was performed, as well as analysis of the patients' neurological recovery, pain relief, and improvement of Karnosky performance score (KPS). Cox regression was used to analyze influencing factors of survival time, and Kaplan–Meier method was performed in survival analysis. Results: The cohort included 63 males and 49 females, with an average age of 60.6 ± 10.6 years. Median survival time was 16 months. A total of 86.7% of paralysis patients' neurological function recovered and 83.9% of patients with low KPS score (10–40) improved. Surgical method was significantly correlated with improvement of neurological function (p < 0.001) and KPS (p < 0.001). The mean bleeding volume was 502 ml and operative time was 170 min. The survival rates at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were 92.0%, 80.4%, 63.4%, 63.4%, and 22.6%, respectively. Postoperative Frankel grade (p < 0.001), postoperative KPS score (p = 0.001), and application of molecular targeted drugs (p < 0.001) were significantly correlated with survival time in univariate analysis, while application of molecular targeted drugs was an independent predictor for a longer survival by a multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Surgery‐based comprehensive treatment brought a fair outcome, with elongated survival time. Surgery can significantly improve patients' neurological function and physical performance status. Adjuvant targeted therapy is an independent positive factor for patients' survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Myocardial injury is a major complication of sepsis and a key factor affecting prognosis. Therefore, early and accurate diagnosis and timely management of sepsis‐induced cardiomyopathy (SICM) are of great significance for the prevention and treatment of sepsis. The gut microbiota has been shown to be closely associated with sepsis or myocardial injury, but the association between the gut microbiota and SICM is not fully understood. This study aimed to explore the link between gut microbiota composition and SICM. Methods: A case‒control and single‐center study of clinical features and gut microbiota profiles by Metagenome and Virome was conducted in SICM patients (n = 15) and sepsis‐uninduced cardiomyopathy patients (SNICM, n = 16). Results: Compared with SNICM patients, SICM patients showed significant myocardial injury and higher 28‐day mortality, SOFA scores, lactate levels, and infection levels on admission. Meanwhile, differences in the composition of gut bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses were analyzed between the two groups. Differential gut bacteria or viruses were found to have a good predictive effect on SICM. Furthermore, gut bacteria and viruses that differed between the two groups were strongly related. The abundance of Cronobacter and Cronobacter phage was higher in the SICM group than in the SNICM group, and the receiver operating characteristic curve showed that Cronobacter and Cronobacter phage both had a good predictive effect on SICM. Conclusions: SICM patients may have specific gut microbiota signatures, and Cronobacter and Cronobacter phages have a good ability to identify and diagnose SICM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical transformation of biomass to high value‐added products is attractive. Herein, Cu sulfide‐mediated in‐situ synthesis of Cu oxide was achieved for efficient electro‐oxidation of biomass derived 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The copper foam‐supported Cu sulfide (Cu−S/CF) was in‐situ converted to Cu oxide during the electro‐oxidation process. The in‐situ formed Cu oxide presented high HMF conversion, FDCA yield, and faradaic efficiency in 1 m KOH with HMF concentration up to 100 mm. The oxidation of HMF on Cu oxide started with the formation of high‐valence Cu species with the assistance of OH−, which then oxidized HMF spontaneously. An anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzer with Cu−S/CF as the anode was assembled to continuously produce FDCA with H2 generation at the cathode. The AEM electrolyzer ran stably for 60 h with FDCA content higher than 85 % at a cell voltage between 1.50 and 1.60 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic radial incision (ERI) versus endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) treatment of naïve, recurrent, and refractory benign esophageal anastomotic strictures. Methods: One hundred and one ERI, 145 EBD, and 42 ERI combined with EBD sessions were performed in 136 consecutive patients with benign esophageal anastomotic stricture after esophagectomy at Zhongshan Hospital from January 2016 to August 2021. Baseline characteristics, operational procedures, and clinical outcomes data were retrospectively evaluated. Parameters and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) were compared between ERI and EBD in patients with naïve or recurrent or refractory strictures. Risk factors for re‐stricture after ERI were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Twenty‐nine ERI versus 68 EBD sessions were performed for naïve stricture, 26 ERI versus 60 EBD for recurrent strictures, and 46 ERI versus 17 EBD for refractory stricture. With comparable baseline characteristics, RFS was greater in the ERI than the EBD group for naïve strictures (P = 0.0449). The ERI group had a lower 12‐month re‐stricture rate than the EBD group (37.9% vs 61.8%, P = 0.0309) and a more prolonged patency time (181.5 ± 263.1 vs 74.5 ± 82.0, P = 0.0233). Between the two interventions, recurrent and refractory strictures had similar RFS (P = 0.0598; P = 0.7668). Multivariate analysis revealed initial ERI treatment was an independent predictive factor for lower re‐stricture risk after ERI intervention (odds ratio = 0.047, P = 0.001). Few adverse events were observed after ERI or EBD (3.0% vs 2.1%, P = 0.6918). Conclusions: ERI is associated with lower re‐stricture rates with better patency and RFS compared with EBD for naive strictures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the impact of executive resume information disclosure on corporate innovation in China. Text analysis is used to measure executive resume information disclosure by constructing three indicators of completeness, readability, and detail from the form and content. The results show that executive resume information disclosure promotes corporate innovation. Moreover, executive resume information disclosure is incrementally informative on corporate innovation by attracting high‐educated employees or alleviating financing constraints. Further analyses show that the innovation motivation of executive resume information disclosure is enhanced when firms have a better information environment as represented by greater media coverage and higher audit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]