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Objective To explore the causal relationship among 731 types of immune cells and breast cancer. Methods Genome-wide association data for immune cells and breast cancer were used. Mendelian randomization analysis was performed using the inverse variance weighting (IVW) and weighted median (WM) methods, and sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Results A total of 19 immune cell phenotypes were identified to potentially have a causal association with breast cancer, using IVW as the main analysis method (P>0.05) and correcting P values using the false discovery rate method at a significance level of 0.05, excluding reverse causality. Of these, eight and 11 immune phenotypes may increase and decrease the risk of breast cancer, respectively. Conclusion This study explored the causal relationship between immune cells and breast cancer. Results show that certain immune cell phenotypes could serve as predictive markers for the early diagnosis of breast cancer and the development of new immunotherapeutic strategies.

Sea cucumber, an important marine food and medicinal resource, contains polysaccharides, which are one of the most important active substances in it. Sulfate groups play an important role in the biological activity of polysaccharides, and sea cucumber sulfated polysaccharides may specifically affect the growth of certain intestinal microorganisms and the production of related metabolites due to their different chemical structures, which contribute to the variable health promoting effects. As a complex ecosystem of the human body, the intestinal flora plays an irreplaceable role in life activities such as nutritional metabolism. Sea cucumber sulfated polysaccharides can be used as prebiotics to alleviate diseases caused by intestinal flora disorder by regulating its composition. This review article summarizes the structures of sea cucumber sulfated polysaccharides, with a focus on the latest progress in research on their influence on glycolipid metabolism through the gut microbiota. These studies will contribute to a better understanding of the health promoting mechanism of sea cucumber sulfated polysaccharides and provide a scientific basis for their application in functional foods.

We use the large spectroscopic data set of the MOSFIRE Deep Evolution Field survey to investigate the kinematics and energetics of ionized gas outflows. Using a sample of 598 star-forming galaxies at redshift 1.4 < z < 3.8, we decompose [O  iii ] and |$\rm {H}\,\alpha$| emission lines into narrow and broad components, finding significant detections of broad components in 10 per cent of the sample. The ionized outflow velocity from individual galaxies appears independent of galaxy properties, such as stellar mass, star formation rate (SFR), and SFR surface density (ΣSFR). Adopting a simple outflow model, we estimate the mass-, energy-, and momentum-loading factors of the ionized outflows, finding modest values with averages of 0.33, 0.04, and 0.22, respectively. The larger momentum- than energy-loading factors, for the adopted physical parameters, imply that these ionized outflows are primarily momentum driven. We further find a marginal correlation (2.5σ) between the mass-loading factor and stellar mass in agreement with predictions by simulations, scaling as η m |$\propto M_{\star }^{-0.45}$|⁠. This shallow scaling relation is consistent with these ionized outflows being driven by a combination of mechanical energy generated by supernovae explosions and radiation pressure acting on dusty material. In a majority of galaxies, the outflowing material does not appear to have sufficient velocity to escape the gravitational potential of their host, likely recycling back at later times. Together, these results suggest that the ionized outflows traced by nebular emission lines are negligible, with the bulk of mass and energy carried out in other gaseous phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By modifying immune cells, immunotherapy can activate immune response to establish long-term immune memory and prevent tumor recurrence. However, their effectiveness is largely constricted by the poor immunogenicity, immune escape, and immune tolerance of the tumor. This is related to the characteristics of the tumor itself, such as genome instability and mutation. The combination of various nanocarriers with tumor immunotherapy is beneficial for overcoming the shortcomings of traditional immunotherapy. Nanocarriers coated by cell membranes can extend blood circulation time, improve ability to evade immune clearance, and enhance targeting, thus significantly enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy and showing great potential in tumor immunotherapy. This article reviews the application research progress of different types of cell membrane–modified nanocarriers in tumor immunotherapy, immunotherapy combination therapy, and tumor vaccines, and provides prospects for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is a new technique to prevent ischemic stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), and recommended by international and domestic guidelines due to its confirmed efficacy and safety in clinical practice. However, its benefits have always been coexisting with some risks. So, how to balance the risks and benefits is one of the important issues concerned by clinical professionals. Based on randomized clinical trials, this manuscript systematically introduces the evidence-based medicine of LAAC in preventing ischemic stroke with NVAF patients, elucidates incidence of complications and major complications of LAAC, then puts forward specific measurement of reducing risks and increasing benefits in clinical practice.

A uniaxial compression test was conducted on sandstone specimens at various inclination angles to determine the energy evolution characteristics during deformation and damage. Based on the principle of minimum energy dissipation, an intrinsic model incorporating the damage threshold was developed to investigate the mechanical properties of sandstone at different inclination angles, and the energy damage evolution during deformation and damage. This study indicated that when the inclination angle of the structural surface remained below 40°, sandstone exhibited varying mechanical properties based on different inclination angles. The peak strain was positively correlated with the inclination angle, whereas the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity showed negative correlations. From an energy perspective, the deformation and damage of sandstone under external loading entail processes of energy input, accumulation, and dissipation. Moreover, higher inclination angles of the structural surface resulted in a smaller absorbed peak strain and a reduced proportion of dissipated energy relative to the energy input, thereby affecting the evolution of energy damage throughout the process. As the inclination angle of the structural surface increased, the absorbed total strain at the peak value decreased, whereas the proportion of the dissipated energy increased. Additionally, the damage threshold and critical value of the rock specimens increased with the inclination angle. The critical value, a composite index comprising the peak strain, compressive strength, and elastic modulus, also increased accordingly. These findings can offer a novel perspective for analyzing geological disasters triggered by fissure zones within underground rock formations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective By stimulating intermittent cold exposure to mice for a long term, to investigate the effect of cold exposure on amelioration of glucose homeostasis and prevention of glucose homeostasis disorder induced by high-fat diet (HFD), and analyze the regulative effect of adipose tissue in the process. Methods A total of 24 male C57 BL/6J male mice (8 weeks old) were equally divided into 4 groups, that is, control group (normal diet+room temperature), cold exposure group (normal diet+4 ℃, 2 h/d), HFD group (HFD feeding+room temperature), and HFD and cold exposure group. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and insulin tolerance test (IPITT) were carried out in 1, 8, 16 and 22 weeks after intervention. In 22 weeks after intervention, scapular brown adipose tissue (BAT) and inguinal white adipose tissue (WATi) were collected for transcriptome profiling analysis. Results When having no effect on the bodyweight, intermittent cold exposure for 22 weeks significantly reduced the weight of WATi (0.221±0.016 vs 0.338±0.024 g, P < 0.05), but increased the weight of BAT (0.095±0.005 vs 0.079±0.003 g, P < 0.05) when compared with the control group, and elevated glucose tolerance by 25.9% (P < 0.01) and enhanced insulin sensitivity by 50.4% (P < 0.01). The amelioration of glucose homeostasis was positively correlated with the length of cold exposure. However, in the mice with HFD feeding, the cold exposure inhibited the increase of bodyweight (43.3±1.8 vs 32.9±0.7 g, P < 0.01) and WATi (1.186±0.215 vs 0.434±0.059 g, P < 0.05), and improved insufficient glucose tolerance by 25.5% (P < 0.01) and insulin resistance by 33.9% (P < 0.01) when compared to the mice of HFD and cold exposure group. Transcriptome profiling analysis showed that long-term intermittent cold exposure obviously activated the glycolysis in the brown fat and white fat tissues, and the PI3K-Akt and insulin signaling pathways (P < 0.01), but HFD reversed the activation of glycolysis-related pathways in white fat tissues. Conclusion Long-term intermittent cold exposure may promote glucose homeostasis and prevent glucose homeostasis disorder induced by HFD via activating glycolysis, PI3K-Akt and insulin signaling pathways in adipose tissue.

Digital economy development is driving the profound revolution in omnichannel retail, yet digital technology inevitably raises privacy concerns. This paper examines the optimal pricing and service strategies for a traditional single‐channel retailer transitioning to omnichannel sales when the market has privacy issues. We construct a nonlinear constrained optimization model to discuss the retailer's optimal gains and pricing when faced with profit‐seeking and privacy‐sensitive consumers during the discount and full‐price periods. Besides, we analyze the influence of item privacy attributes and clients' profit‐seeking or strategic behavior. Several valuable findings are as follows. First, the product's privacy attributes significantly influence retailer's pricing decisions. High‐privacy value goods benefit them in the full‐price period, while common items with low‐privacy attributes are profitable in all sales periods. Second, profit‐seeking (myopic) consumers are the mainstay of the discount period, whereas privacy‐sensitive (strategic) consumers prefer to act in the full‐price period. Lastly, when supported by appropriate privacy services, the strategic actions of privacy consumers also help retailers to optimize profits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]