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Hypothesis: Unilateral costal cartilage harvesting (UCCH) for auricle reconstruction in children tends to cause thoracic deformities. Therefore, our study aimed to develop a novel bilateral costal cartilage harvesting (BCCH) method to prevent and reduce thoracic deformities. Methods: Patients with unilateral microtia who underwent either UCCH (n = 50) or BCCH (n = 46) were enrolled in this study. The grafts for the BCCH group were harvested from the 6th costal cartilage of the ipsilateral hemithorax and the 7th and 8th cartilage from the other hemithorax. Computed tomography and physical examination were performed to identify any physical deformities in the chest contours post‐surgery. The cosmetic appearance of the thoracic scars post‐surgery was evaluated using the Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating Scale (SCAR) and Visual Analogue Scales (VAS cosmetic). The numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to quantify the pain in donor sites. The reconstructed ears were assessed during the follow‐up period. Result: None of the patients in the BCCH group developed thoracic deformities, while 16 patients within the UCCH group developed mild (n = 12) or severe (n = 4) thoracic deformities (p < 0.001). The SCAR (3.09 vs. 2.92, p = 0.580) and VAS scores (0.96 vs. 0.90, p = 0.813) did not differ significantly between the two groups. For both treatment arms, the NRS scores were highest on the first‐day post‐surgery and gradually dropped over the 10 days. No significant differences were found in the NRS scores and the aesthetic outcomes of the reconstructed ears between the two groups. Conclusion: The BCCH method effectively reduced the incidence of thoracic deformity at the donor site without increasing postoperative pain and cosmetic concerns for patients. It could be used clinically to improve patient outcomes of costal cartilage grafts. Level of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 134:3572–3580, 2024 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Research has previously established connections between the intestinal microbiome and the progression of some cancers. However, there is a noticeable gap in the literature in regard to using Mendelian randomisation (MR) to delve into potential causal relationships between the gut microbiota (GM) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Therefore, the purpose of our study was to use MR to explore the causal relationship between four kinds of GM (Bacteroides, Streptococcus, Proteobacteria and Lachnospiraceae) and BCC. Methods: We used genome‐wide association study (GWAS) data and MR to explore the causal relationship between four kinds of GM and BCC. This study primarily employed the random effect inverse variance weighted (IVW) model for analysis, as complemented by additional methods including the simple mode, weighted median, weighted mode and MR‒Egger methods. We used heterogeneity and horizontal multiplicity to judge the reliability of each analysis. MR‐PRESSO was mainly used to detect and correct outliers. Results: The random‐effects IVW results showed that Bacteroides (OR = 0.936, 95% CI = 0.787–1.113, p = 0.455), Streptococcus (OR = 0.974, 95% CI = 0.875–1.083, p = 0.629), Proteobacteria (OR = 1.113, 95% CI = 0.977–1.267, p = 0.106) and Lachnospiraceae (OR = 1.027, 95% CI = 0.899–1.173, p = 0.688) had no genetic causal relationship with BCC. All analyses revealed no horizontal pleiotropy, heterogeneity or outliers. Conclusion: We found that Bacteroides, Streptococcus, Proteobacteria and Lachnospiraceae do not increase the incidence of BCC at the genetic level, which provides new insight for the study of GM and BCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fine isochronous comparison and fine portrayal of sedimentary micro-phases for the stratigraphy of Qian130 block in Qian'an oilfield is a critical problem that needs to be solved in the field nowadays. The target section of the study is the XII Sand Formation in Section III of the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation, and the oil-bearing formation is the Gaotaizi Oil Formation. Based on field outcrops, cores, logs and other data, a comparative stratigraphic framework of small stratigraphic levels was established and single well phases, continuous well profiles and planar sedimentary phases were studied for the deltaic foreland depositional system of the three sections of the Qingshankou Formation in the Qian'an Oilfield, guided by stratigraphic stratigraphy theory[1-2]. The analysis concludes that the regional structure is located in the northern part of the Changling Depression in the central depressional area of the southern part of the Songliao Basin, where faults are developed. The three sedimentary microphases of the Qingshankou Formation include six microphases: submerged divergent channel, estuarine dam, submerged divergent channel flank, submerged divergent interbay, distant sand dam, and matted sand. Combining the sedimentary micro-phase map of the small layer time unit with the oil formation sandstone thickness map, sand-to-ground ratio map and effective thickness map of the oil formation, the oil and water distribution in the study area is correctly understood to guide the next development of the Qian'an oil field[3-4].

A study of the reservoir characteristics of the Tournaisian formation in the Yablunivske oil and gas condensate filed shows that the pore structure of the reservoir in this area is complex and the pore permeability varies widely. Based on the reservoir logging response characteristics, core analysis data and logging curves GR, DT and normal resistivity curves, the reservoir mud content, porosity, permeability, bound water saturation and gas saturation parameters were calculated by statistical regression methods. The calculation accuracy of the established log interpretation models is high, which can meet the development needs of the oilfield and also lay the foundation for the subsequent study of the reservoir.

Objective: To investigate mechanisms of IL-17D on cytotoxic function of CD93+CTL in lung tumor microenviron ment (TME) and promotion of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG). Methods: Lung of B16 melanoma model mice and control mice were treated with PG or IL-17D, and lung tumor clone formation was observed. IL-17D expression change in lung was detected by single cell sequencing, immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. Single cell sequencing and flow cytometry were used to detect CD93+CTL content, cytotoxic phenotype and functional factors changes, including CD107a, perforin, granzyme B, chemokine CCL2, CXCL9 and their ligand CCR2 and CXCR3. Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect effect of Platycodonopsis saponin D on IL-17D and its transcriptional regulator NRF2 expressions in EL4 cells. Results: Pulmonary CD93+CTL highly expressed cytotoxic effectors such as perforin and CD107a and chemokine receptors CXCR3 and CCR2 than CD93-CTL, while there was no significant difference in secretion of granzyme B. In mouse lung tumor model, pulmonary IL-17D and CD93+CTL were significantly decreased (P< 0.001) ; in tumor-bearing mice after IL-17D backfill assay, or after 10 days of treatment with PG, proportion and absolute number of IL-17D and CD93+CTL in lungs were significantly incr eased (P<0.05), and tumor clones were significantly reduced; meanwhile, tumor-local expressions of cytokines CCL2, CXCL9, which are related to recruitment and function of CD93+CTL, and IL-17D were significantly upregulated. Up-regulation of IL-17D and its transcriptional regulator NRF2 by PG was verified in vitro experiments on EL4 cell line by PD. Conclusion: Traditional Chinese medicine PG and its extracts can up-regulate expression of IL-17D in lungs, improve infiltration and cytotoxic function of CD93+CTL and antagonize malignant progression of lung tumors, this is an important pharmacological mechanism of PG in improving immune TME of tumors in lung. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cationic exchange resins are used in nuclear power circuits to remove the nuclide ions to maintain the safe and efficient operation of nuclear power plants. Meanwhile, the production of spent resins is expanding significantly due to the rapid technological advancements in the nuclear industry, causing the study of resin treatment to be of great significance. This study reveals the catalytic behavior of Mn from cation exchange resins during molten salt oxidation. Mn has many isotopic ions and a catalytic effect on the treatment process. Kinetic analysis reveals that the introduction of Mn decreases the activation energy of the styrene–divinylbenzene skeleton from 48.164 kJ mol−1 to 41.696 kJ mol−1 and decreases the degradation temperature of the resin by 78 °C. Compared to the original resin, the destruction and removal efficiency of Mn-doped cation exchange resin increased from 75.07% to 85.28% during molten salt oxidation at 650 °C. According to the scanning electron microscope analysis and characterization studies, Mn promotes a 55.71% reduction in the average particle diameter of resin structural fragments. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of the resin residues demonstrates that Mn doping influences the catalytic decomposition of –SO2– and S–O within sulfonic acid groups. This catalytic effect induces destabilization and subsequent ring-opening of the benzene ring. These results imply that Mn doping can facilitate molten carbonate oxidation destruction of cation exchange resins. The X-ray diffraction analysis of waste salt reveals that with increasing oxidation time, the transformation of Mn proceeds as (Mn2O6)6− → (MnO3)2− → (MnO2)− at 750 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]