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ObjectiveStandardizationTo explore a novel special technique intensive mode (STIM) of teaching cardiac conduction system mapping skills. This method includes theoretical lecture, in vivo operation, 5-whys methods of analyses, intensive-problem oriented trainings, and assessments.MethodsTen post-graduates majoring in cardiology who have equivalent education backgrounds and technical levels were randomly divided into two groups (n=5 per group). All participants underwent a skill training on cardiac electrophysiology mapping, with one group training under the STIM and the other group under the traditional "theory-practice-test" (TPT) mode. The effect of these two educational techniques were evaluated at the end of the training.ResultsPostgraduates in the STIM group had a more solid grasp of the anatomical position and structure of the cardiac conduction system than those in the TPT group. During in-vivo operation, the students in the STIM group reconstructed and interpreted the electroanatomical maps, voltage maps, electric excitation maps, and electric conduction maps more accurately and quickly than those in the TPT group.ConclusionThe STIM teaching mode more effectively improved the basic surgical skills of postgraduates, stimulated the students' learning initiative, and improved the quality of education. STIM is a kind of intensive teaching mode of special skills, and is worth widely implementing in the education of postgraduates majoring in cardiovascular diseases.

Objectives To perform the combined anesthesia of ketamine hydrochloride and xylazine in miniature pigs, and to analyze the effect of drug dose on anesthesia.Methods Thirty-six Bama miniature pigs were randomly divided into three groups. Group A was administered with ketamine hydrochloride (10 mg/kg) + xylazine (2 mg/kg). Group B was administered with ketamine hydrochloride (10 mg/kg) + xylazine (1.5 mg/kg). Group C was administered with ketamine hydrochloride (5 mg/kg) + xylazine (2 mg/kg), and anesthesia monitoring indexes were recorded.Results There were no significant differences in anesthesia onset time and awake time between groups A and B (P > 0.05), and the awake time of anesthesia in groups A and B was significantly longer than that in group C (P < 0.05).Conclusion Ketamine hydrochloride (10 mg/kg) combined with xylazine (1.5‒2 mg/kg) anesthesia has a rapid effect, stable anesthesia depth, no obvious movement, and satisfactory safety. It can be used in short procedures, diagnoses, and treatments.

T lymphocytes play a critical role in antitumor immunity, but their exhaustion poses a significant challenge for immune evasion by malignant cells. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), characterized by their covalently closed looped structure, have emerged as pivotal regulators within the neoplastic landscape. Recent studies have highlighted their multifaceted roles in cellular processes, including gene expression modulation and protein function regulation, which are often disrupted in cancer. In this review, we systematically explore the intricate interplay between circRNAs and T cell modulation within the tumor microenvironment. By dissecting the regulatory mechanisms through which circRNAs impact T cell exhaustion, we aim to uncover pathways crucial for immune evasion and T cell dysfunction. These insights can inform innovative immunotherapeutic strategies targeting circRNA-mediated molecular pathways. Additionally, we discuss the translational potential of circRNAs as biomarkers for therapeutic response prediction and as intervention targets. Our comprehensive analysis aims to enhance the understanding of immune evasion dynamics in the tumor microenvironment by facilitating the development of precision immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the vigorous development of photovoltaic industry, considerable amount of silicon cutting waste (SCW) has been generated and aroused a series of environmental problems. Current recycling methods focus on reutilizing the waste to prepare low‐value industrial Si, Al‐Si alloy, SiC block, and so forth. Herein, we have fully utilized the fine characteristic of SCW to prepare high‐value nano SiC particles with an average diameter of ∼30 nm through carbothermal synthesis at 1500°C for 2 h, and under Ar atmosphere. In the synthesis process, the SCW serves as the Si source and the phenolic resin serves as the C source. The synthesis process mainly includes two stages: the pyrolysis of phenolic resin and the synthesis process. The fine particles of the SCW and the pyrolytic carbon from the phenolic resin contribute to the formation of the nano SiC. Besides, the photoluminescence and Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA) results show that the obtained SiC nanoparticle possesses a special photoluminescence and a favorable thermal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing cost-effective electrocatalysts for overall water splitting is an effective approach to produce green hydrogen and oxygen. A NiFeSe4/NiSe2 heterostructure catalyst for high-efficiency HER and OER was effectively created using an in situ growth preparation approach in this study. The basic crystal structure of the material was altered by selenization, which facilitates electron redistribution within the material. Furthermore, the heterostructure formed following selenization can not only improve the material's conductivity but also give additional active area for catalysis. Meanwhile, the built-in electric field aided in electron redistribution. The NiFeSe4/NiSe2-8 h catalyst demonstrated excellent performance, requiring an overpotential of only 218 mV (OER) and 121 mV (HER) to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2. The overall water splitting reaction was carried out at 1.572 V using the NiFeSe4/NiSe2-8 h bifunctional catalyst as the cathode and anode of the reaction. Stability is also an important component in determining the quality of materials. The NiFeSe4/NiSe2-8 h material reacted continuously at diverse current densities (including low and high current densities) for 36 h with no noticeable performance loss. This work provides a feasible method for preparing an economical and efficient electrocatalyst by adjusting the electrocatalytic performance through heterojunction engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulatory T (Treg) cells contribute to immune homeostasis but suppress immune responses to cancer. Strategies to disrupt Treg cell–mediated cancer immunosuppression have been met with limited clinical success, but the underlying mechanisms for treatment failure are poorly understood. By modeling Treg cell–targeted immunotherapy in mice, we find that CD4+ Foxp3− conventional T (Tconv) cells acquire suppressive function upon depletion of Foxp3+ Treg cells, limiting therapeutic efficacy. Foxp3− Tconv cells within tumors adopt a Treg cell–like transcriptional profile upon ablation of Treg cells and acquire the ability to suppress T cell activation and proliferation ex vivo. Suppressive activity is enriched among CD4+ Tconv cells marked by expression of C-C motif receptor 8 (CCR8), which are found in mouse and human tumors. Upon Treg cell depletion, CCR8+ Tconv cells undergo systemic and intratumoral activation and expansion, and mediate IL-10–dependent suppression of antitumor immunity. Consequently, conditional deletion of Il10 within T cells augments antitumor immunity upon Treg cell depletion in mice, and antibody blockade of IL-10 signaling synergizes with Treg cell depletion to overcome treatment resistance. These findings reveal a secondary layer of immunosuppression by Tconv cells released upon therapeutic Treg cell depletion and suggest that broader consideration of suppressive function within the T cell lineage is required for development of effective Treg cell–targeted therapies. Editor's Summary: Regulatory T (Treg) cells have immunosuppressive properties, which has led to the development of Treg cell–depleting cancer immunotherapies. Targeted Treg cell depletion has had limited clinical efficacy, and Whiteside et al. examined the underlying mechanism of treatment failure using a mouse model of Treg cell–targeted immunotherapy. Upon Treg cell depletion, intratumoral CD4+ Foxp3− conventional T (Tconv) cells acquired Treg cell transcriptional characteristics and assumed immunosuppressive properties as measured ex vivo. Depletion of Treg cells caused expansion of CCR8-expressing Tconv cells, which drove IL-10–mediated suppression of antitumor immunity. Consequently, resistance to Treg cell depletion could be prevented through conditional deletion of Il10 in T cells or cotreatment with antibodies that block IL-10 signaling. These findings highlight multiple layers of immunosuppression that can be overcome to unleash cancer immunotherapy efficacy. —Christiana Fogg [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]