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This paper studies a single-machine problem with resource allocation (RA) and deteriorating effect (DE). Under group technology (GT) and limited resource availability, our goal is to determine the schedules of groups and jobs within each group such that the total completion time is minimized. For three special cases, polynomial time algorithms are given. For a general case, a heuristic, a tabu search algorithm, and an exact (i.e., branch-and-bound) algorithm are proposed to solve this problem.

Chemical investigations of a marine sponge-associated Bacillus revealed six new imidazolium-containing compounds, bacillimidazoles A–F (1–6). Previous reports of related imidazolium-containing natural products are rare. Initially unveiled by timsTOF (trapped ion mobility spectrometry) MS data, extensive HRMS and 1D and 2D NMR analyses enabled the structural elucidation of 1–6. In addition, a plausible biosynthetic pathway to bacillimidazoles is proposed based on isotopic labeling experiments and invokes the highly reactive glycolytic adduct 2,3-butanedione. Combined, the results of structure elucidation efforts, isotopic labeling studies and bioinformatics suggest that 1–6 result from a fascinating intersection of primary and secondary metabolic pathways in Bacillus sp. WMMC1349. Antimicrobial assays revealed that, of 1–6, only compound six displayed discernible antibacterial activity, despite the close structural similarities shared by all six natural products.

Abstract Background Bone or brain metastases may develop in 20–40% of individuals with late‐stage non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC), resulting in a median overall survival of only 4–6 months. However, the primary lung cancer tissue's distinctions between bone, brain and intrapulmonary metastases of NSCLC at the single‐cell level have not been underexplored. Methods We conducted a comprehensive analysis of 14 tissue biopsy samples obtained from treatment‐naïve advanced NSCLC patients with bone (n = 4), brain (n = 6) or intrapulmonary (n = 4) metastasis using single‐cell sequencing originating from the lungs. Following quality control and the removal of doublets, a total of 80 084 cells were successfully captured. Results The most significant inter‐group differences were observed in the fraction and function of fibroblasts. We identified three distinct cancer‐associated fibroblast (CAF) subpopulations: myofibroblastic CAF (myCAF), inflammatory CAF (iCAF) and antigen‐presenting CAF (apCAF). Notably, apCAF was prevalent in NSCLC with bone metastasis, while iCAF dominated in NSCLC with brain metastasis. Intercellular signalling network analysis revealed that apCAF may play a role in bone metastasis by activating signalling pathways associated with cancer stemness, such as SPP1‐CD44 and SPP1‐PTGER4. Conversely, iCAF was found to promote brain metastasis by activating invasion and metastasis‐related molecules, such as MET hepatocyte growth factor. Furthermore, the interaction between CAFs and tumour cells influenced T‐cell exhaustion and signalling pathways within the tumour microenvironment. Conclusions This study unveils the direct interplay between tumour cells and CAFs in NSCLC with bone or brain metastasis and identifies potential therapeutic targets for inhibiting metastasis by disrupting these critical cell–cell interactions.

Chronic pain is a long-standing unpleasant sensory and emotional feeling that has a tremendous impact on the physiological functions of the body, manifesting itself as a dysfunction of the nervous system, which can occur with peripheral and central sensitization. Many recent studies have shown that a variety of common immune cells in the immune system are involved in chronic pain by acting on the peripheral or central nervous system, especially in the autoimmune diseases. This article reviews the mechanisms of regulation of the sensory nervous system by neutrophils, macrophages, mast cells, B cells, T cells, and central glial cells. In addition, we discuss in more detail the influence of each immune cell on the initiation, maintenance, and resolution of chronic pain. Neutrophils, macrophages, and mast cells as intrinsic immune cells can induce the transition from acute to chronic pain and its maintenance; B cells and T cells as adaptive immune cells are mainly involved in the initiation of chronic pain, and T cells also contribute to the resolution of it; the role of glial cells in the nervous system can be extended to the beginning and end of chronic pain. This article aims to promote the understanding of the neuroimmune mechanisms of chronic pain, and to provide new therapeutic ideas and strategies for the control of chronic pain at the immune cellular level.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effects of stellate ganglion block (SGB) through different approaches under guidance of ultrasound.MethodsA total of 130 patients undergoing SGB in our hospital between February 2019 and February 2020 were enrolled as the research subjects. According to the random number table method, these subjects were divided into two groups: a modified 6th cervical vertebra (C6) group (n = 65) and a 7th cervical vertebra (C7) group (n = 65). Under the guidance of ultrasound, the subjects in the modified C6 group were punctured at the level of the C6 transverse process, and the subjects in the C7 group were punctured at the level of the C7 transverse process. The operation duration, number of puncture angle adjustments, block effects, and adverse reactions for SGB were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe modified C6 group showed shorter SGB operation duration and a lower number of puncture angle adjustments than the C7 group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Horner Syndrome occurred in both groups after SGB. The incidence of adverse reactions in the modified C6 group was 4.62%, comprising 1 case of hoarseness and 2 cases of slowed pulse, while that in the C7 group was 6.15%, with 1 case of hoarseness and 3 cases of slowed pulse; the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).ConclusionThe operation duration for modified SGB guided by ultrasound puncturing at the C6 transverse process is shorter and requires fewer puncture angle adjustments than puncturing at the C7 transverse process; however, there is no significant difference between the incidence of adverse reactions or the blocking effects of the two methods.