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Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of irreversible blindness in the working-age population. Neovascularization is an important hallmark of advanced DR. There is evidence that Yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional co-activator with a PDZ binding domain (TAZ) plays an important role in angiogenesis and that its activity is regulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of YAP/TAZ-VEGF crosstalk on the angiogenic capacity of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRECs) in a high-glucose environment. The expression of YAP and TAZ of hRECs under normal conditions, hypertonic conditions and high glucose were observed. YAP overexpression (OE-YAP), YAP silencing (sh-YAP), VEGF overexpression (OE-VEGF) and VEGF silencing (sh-VEGF) plasmids were constructed. Cell counting kit-8 assay was performed to detect cells proliferation ability, transwell assay to detect cells migration ability, and tube formation assay to detect tube formation ability. The protein expression of YAP, TAZ, VEGF, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, MMP-13, vessel endothelium (VE)-cadherin and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was measured by western blot. The proliferation of hRECs was significantly higher in the high glucose group compared with the normal group, as well as the protein expression of YAP and TAZ (p < 0.01). YAP and VEGF promoted the proliferation, migration and tube formation of hRECs in the high glucose environment (p < 0.01), and increased the expression of TAZ, VEGF, MMP-8, MMP-13 and α-SMA while reducing the expression of VE-cadherin (p < 0.01). Knockdown of YAP effectively reversed the above promoting effects of OE-VEGF (p < 0.01) and overexpression of YAP significantly reversed the inhibition effects of sh-VEGF on above cell function (p < 0.01). In a high-glucose environment, YAP/TAZ can significantly promote the proliferation, migration and tube formation ability of hRECs, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of VEGF expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgical resection is one of the most preferred treatment options for locally advanced gastric cancer patients. However, the optimal time interval between chemotherapy and surgery is unclear. This review aimed to identify the optimal time interval between neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery for advanced gastric cancer. Methods: Beginning on November 12, 2022, we searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science databases, and Embase.com databases for relevant English-language research. Two authors independently screened the studies, assessed their quality, extracted the data, and analyzed the results. The primary goal was to investigate the relationship between the time interval to surgery (TTS) and long-term survival outcomes for patients. This study has been registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022365196). Results: After an initial search of 4880 articles, the meta-analysis review ultimately included only five retrospective studies. Ultimately, this meta-analysis included 1171 patients, of which 411 patients had TTS of < 4 weeks, 507 patients had TTS of 4–6 weeks, and 253 patients had TTS of > 6 weeks. In survival analysis, patients with TTS of > 6 weeks had poorer overall survival outcomes than patients with TTS of 4–6 weeks (HR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.03–1.75, P = 0.03). No significant differences were found in terms of disease-free survival the groups. Conclusion: Based on the current clinical evidence, patients with locally advanced gastric cancer may benefit better with a TTS of 4–6 weeks; however, this option still needs additional study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the most useful phenomena for separating sea clutter and marine targets, micro-Doppler (m-D) describes the refined motion characteristics of a marine target and helps to improve the abilities of radar detection and recognition. In this study, based on maritime radar, the signal model of a target with micromotion in sea clutter is described. Initially, the definitions of micromotion and m-D are briefly reviewed with a description of their details, and a classification of rigid marine targets that exhibit micromotion is introduced. Then, according to the duration of the observation time, we establish two types of signal models, i.e., in one range unit and across range unit. According to the type of motion, we establish separate signal models for non-uniform translational motion and rotational motion. Finally, the properties of micromotion are analyzed using real radar data, and the effectiveness of the established models is verified.

In case of high-resolution, low grazing angle, high sea state, and horizontal transmitting, horizontal receiving polarization, the radar returns are strengthened, resulting in sea spikes. The sea spikes have the characteristics of high amplitudes, nonstationary, and non-Gaussian, which have a strong impact on the radar detection of weak marine moving targets. This study proposes a method for sea clutter suppression. Firstly, based on the sea spikes identification and selection method, the amplitude, temporal correlation, Doppler spectrum, and fractional power spectrum properties of sea spikes are analyzed. Secondly, the data to be detected are chosen by selecting the background clutter with minimum mean power, which can also eliminate the sea spikes. Correspondingly, sea clutter is suppressed with improved Signal-to-Clutter Ratio (SCR). Finally, the results of experiment with real radar data verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Background: Liver tumor remains an important cause of cancer-related death. Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) are advantageous in the treatment of melanoma and pancreatic cancer, but their therapeutic application on liver tumors need to be further studied. Methods: Hep3B cells were treated with nsPEFs. The biological behaviors of cells were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8, 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) assays. In vivo, rabbit VX2 liver tumor models were ablated by ultrasound-guided nsPEFs and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was used to evaluate the ablation effect. HE staining and Masson staining were used to evaluate the tissue morphology after ablation. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the expression of Ki67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and α-smooth muscle actin at different time points after ablation. Results: The cell viability of Hep3B cells was continuously lower than that of the control group within 3 days after pulse treatment. The proliferation of Hep3B cells was significantly affected by nsPEFs. TEM showed that Hep3B cells underwent significant morphological changes after pulse treatment. In vivo, CEUS imaging showed that nsPEFs could completely ablate model rabbit VX2 liver tumors. After nsPEFs ablation, the area of tumor fibrosis and the expression of Ki67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and α-smooth muscle actin were decreased. However, after RFA, rabbit VX2 liver tumor tissue showed complete necrosis, but the expression of PCNA and α-smooth muscle actin did not decrease compared to the tumor group. Conclusions: nsPEFs can induce Hep3B cells apoptosis and ablate rabbit VX2 liver tumors in a non-thermal manner versus RFA. The ultrasound contrast agent can monitor immediate effect of nsPEF ablation. This study provides a basis for the clinical study of nsPEFs ablation of liver cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]