Quality of life and regional economic development: Evidence from China.

With the development of China's economy entering a new stage, the quality of life, which centers on the well-being of residents, provides an essential hand in promoting the transformation of the regional economy from high-speed development to high-quality development. Based on a panel threshold regression model, we examine in this paper whether quality of life helps regional economies realize developmental convergence. The research shows that: (1) The quality of life overall can promote regional economic development and passes the series test with relatively robust results. (2) The quality of life has a non-linear effect on regional economic growth, which is mainly manifested in the fact that the impact is more significant in regions with higher levels of quality of life and weaker in regions with lagging quality of life and may widen the gap between regions at the same time. (3) We categorize the study regions to test further regional heterogeneity based on regional location and development status. At the Quality of Life Level-I regions, their influence on economic development has a more substantial pulling effect. Therefore, each region should seize the strategic opportunity to improve the quality of life, focus on the balanced development of the quality of life, strengthen policy support and social security, and strive to promote the coordinated development of China's regional economy.

Resection of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma after conversion therapy with apatinib and camrelizumab: a case report and literature review.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a rather common malignant tumor. Most patients with hepatocellular carcinoma receive their diagnosis at an advanced stage, at which surgical resection is no longer appropriate. A growing body of research has demonstrated the value of convention therapy for patients with intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma, while specific application protocols and treatment guidelines are not well developed. Emerging clinical researches suggest that a tyrosine kinase inhibitor in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor is a reasonable strategy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. However, there are relatively few reports on the efficacy of apatinib and camrelizumab in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. We were able to successfully remove one patient's hepatocellular carcinoma after 8 cycles of conversion therapy with apatinib (250 mg orally every day) and camrelizumab (200 mg intravenously every 2 weeks). The patient continued to receive the same dose of 16 cycles of apatinib and camrelizumab after hepatectomy. By the time of this study, the patient has completed 18 months of follow-up, and no tumor recurrence or metastasis was found in tumor markers and imaging examinations. Apatinib in combination with camrelizumab is an effective therapy for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, and surgical resection after this conversion therapy may provide patients with long-term oncological benefits. However, this requires more samples to validate the conclusion.

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylation of Ketones with 2-Aza-1,4-Dienes.

Catalytic asymmetric allylation of ketones under proton-transfer conditions is a challenging issue due to the limited pronucleophiles and the electrophilic inertness of ketones. Herein, a copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric allylation of ketones with 2-aza-1,4-dienes (N-allyl-1,1-diphenylmethanimines) is disclosed, which affords a series of functionalized homoallyl tertiary alcohols in high to excellent enantioselectivity. Interestingly, N-allyl-1,1-diphenylmethanimines work as synthetic equivalents of propanals. Upon the acidic workup, a formal asymmetric ß-addition of propanals to ketones is achieved. An investigation on KIE effect indicates that the deprotonation of N-allyl-1,1-diphenylmethanimines is the rate-determining step, which generates nucleophilic allyl copper(I) species. Finally, the synthetic utility of the present method is demonstrated by the asymmetric synthesis of (R)-boivinianin A and (R)-gossonorol.

Telocytes and inflammation: A review.

Telocytes are a new type of interstitial cell with a diverse morphology and important functions, such as mechanical support, signal transduction, immune regulation, and tissue repair. In this paper, the origin and physiological and pathological functions of telocytes as well as their role in inflammation will be discussed, and the functions and targets of telocytes in inflammation will be fully reviewed, which may contribute to a new therapeutic strategy for inflammatory diseases in the future.

The effect of acupuncture on recovery after colorectal cancer resection: A systematic review meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture by systematically reviewing the literature on colorectal cancer resection. METHODS: Seven electronic databases were searched from inception to February 28, 2023. Randomized controlled trials on acupuncture in patients after CRC resection were included. Two reviewers independently selected relevant trials, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. A random-effects meta-analysis model was used to obtain summary effect estimates. The data were pooled and analyzed using RevMan 5.3. The heterogeneity of selected studies was evaluated by evaluating the I-squared (I2) statistics. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies with 1878 patients were included. Results of the meta-analysis showed there was a low level evidence that acupuncture may improve early postoperative symptoms, such as time to first flatus (n = 876, MD -0.77h, 95% CI -1.22 to -0.33 h, I2 = 89%), time to first bowel movement (n = 671, MD -1.41h, 95% CI -2.20 to -0.63 h, I2 = 95%), time to first defecation (n = 556, MD -1.03h, 95% CI -1.88 to -0.18 h, I2 = 95%), and nausea/vomiting (n = 1488, RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.59-0.89, I2 = 49%) compared with usual care and sham acupuncture. However, there were no statistically significant differences in postoperative pain (n = 1188, MD-0.21, 95% CI -0.59 to 0.17, I2 = 74%). And there was no sufficient evidence of improving long-term functional outcomes. There was substantial heterogeneity across trials. The adverse events associated with acupuncture stimulation were minor in include studies. CONCLUSION SUBSECTIONS: There is currently low-level evidence supporting the use of acupuncture on postoperative symptoms for patients after colorectal cancer resection. More investigations should be established based on the STRICTA statement strictly.

An in situ thermal cross-linking binder for silicon-based lithium ion battery.

Silicon has been regarded as one of the most promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its highest specific capacity and low (de)lithiation potential, however, the development of practical applications for silicon are still hindered by devastating volume expansion and low conductance. Herein, we have proposed an in situ thermally cross-linked water-soluble PA@PAA binder for silicon-based LIBs to construct dynamic cross-linking network. Specifically, ester bonds between -P-OH in phytic acid (PA) and -COOH in PAA, which are generated by thermal coupling, are designed to synergize with hydrogen bonds between the PA@PAA binder and silicon particles to dissipate the high mechanical stresses, which is verified by theoretical calculation. GO is further adopted to protect silicon particles from immediate contact with electrolyte to improve initial coulombic efficiency (ICE). A range of heat treatment temperatures is explored to optimize the previous process conditions and the optimum electrochemical performance is provided by Si@PA@PAA-220 electrodes with high reversible specific capacity of 1322.1 mAh/g at a current density of 0.5A/g after 510 cycles. Characterization has also revealed that PA@PAA is involved in electrochemical process and tunes the ratio of organic (LixPFy/LixPOyFZ)-inorganic (LiF) to consolidate solid electrolyte interface (SEI) during cycles. In brief, this applicable fascial in situ strategy can effectively improve the stability of silicon anodes for high energy density lithium-ion batteries.

Integration of prolapsing technique and one-stitch method of ileostomy during laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer: a retrospective study.

Background: Prolapsing technique is a type of natural orifice specimen extraction surgery that can overcome the difficulty of precise transection of the distal rectum and subsequent anastomosis in a narrow pelvic space. Currently, protective ileostomy is widely utilized in low anterior resection for low rectal cancer, which may reduce the severe consequences caused by anastomotic leakage. The study aimed to combine the prolapsing technique with a one-stitch method of ileostomy and evaluate the surgical outcomes. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with low rectal cancer who underwent protective loop ileostomy in laparoscopic low anterior resection between January 2019 and December 2022. The patients were divided into prolapsing technique combined with the one-stitch method of ileostomy (PO) group and traditional method (TM) group, and the intraoperative details and early postoperative outcomes of the two groups were measured. Results: A total of 70 patients met the inclusion criteria, including 30 patients who underwent PO and 40 patients who underwent the traditional procedure. The PO group had a shorter total operative time than the TM group (197.8 ± 43.4 vs. 218.3 ± 40.6 min, P = 0.047). The time of intestine function recovery in the PO group was shorter than that in the TM group (24.6 ± 3.8 vs. 32.7 ± 5.4 h, P < 0.001). Compared with the TM group, the average VAS score was significantly lower in the PO group (P < 0.001). The incidence of anastomotic leakage in the PO group was significantly lower than that in the TM group (P = 0.034). The operative time of loop ileostomy was 2.0 ± 0.6 min in the PO group, which was significantly less than 15.1 ± 2.9 min in the TM group. Skin irritation was observed in 2 patients in the PO group and 10 patients in the TM group; therefore, there was a significant difference (P = 0.044). Conclusion: This method is safe and feasible, which reduces the technical difficulty and achieves rapid postoperative recovery with few complications.

Safety and effectiveness of fluorescence laparoscopy in precise hepatectomy: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To perform a systematic review of the safety and effectiveness of fluorescence laparoscopy-guided precise hepatectomy. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to December 1, 2022, using the search terms "indocyanine green," "ICG," "infracyanine green," "laparoscopy," "liver resection," and "hepatectomy." After performing a methodological quality assessment of the included studies, the overall results were subjected to meta-analysis using Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: After screening, the meta-analysis included a total of 13 articles. The studies included 1,115 patients who were grouped into the fluorescence laparoscopy (490 patients) and conventional laparoscopy (625 patients) groups. All articles included in the meta-analysis were of high quality. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that compared to the conventional laparoscopy group, the fluorescence laparoscopy group had a higher R0 resection rate (odds ratio=4.03, 95% confidence interval [1.50, 10.83], P = 0.006), lower blood transfusion rate (odds ratio=0.46, 95% confidence interval [0.21, 0.97], P = 0.04) and lower blood loss (mean difference=-36.58; 95% confidence interval [-59.75, -13.41], P = 0.002). However, the length of hospital stay, operative time, and incidence of postoperative complications did not differ significantly between both groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared to conventional laparoscopy, fluorescence laparoscopy provides better application effects in hepatectomy. The surgical procedure has demonstrated good safety and feasibility, which make it worthy of popularization.

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Conjugate Addition/Enantioselective Protonation with Selenols and α-Substituted α,ß-Unsaturated Thioamides.

Herein, a copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition/protonation with selenols and α-substituted α,ß-unsaturated thioamides is disclosed, which affords a series of chiral selenides in high to excellent enantioselectivity. As for both selenols and α-substituted α,ß-unsaturated thioamides, the reaction enjoys broad substrate scopes. The present catalytic system is also successfully applied to asymmetric selenation of ß-substituted α,ß-unsaturated thioamides. A [Cu-(R,RP )-TANIAPHOS]-SePh species is characterized by its 77 Se NMR spectra, which gives a chemical shift at δ 462 ppm. Moreover, a {[Cu-(R)-TOL-BINAP]-SePh}2 species is characterized by X-ray analysis, which confirms the formation of Cu-Se bond in the reaction. Finally, the transformations of the thioamide group to amine and thioester are demonstrated to be straightforward.

The mitochondrial genome of Dendroctonus rufipennis (Kirby, 1837) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) and its phylogenetic analyses.

The mitogenome of Dendroctonus rufipennis is a circular molecule of 16,547 bp which consists of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and a control region (GenBank accession no. NC_063906). All of 13 PCGs initiate with the standard start codon of ATN. Most PCGs used the typical stop codon 'TAA' or 'TAG', only nad5 terminated with incomplete stop codon (TA). Phylogenetic analyses within the Scolytinae were performed based on nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial PCGs. The topology showed that D. rufipennis, D. valens, and Tomicus piniperda formed a clade, and also clustered together with Hylastes opacus, H. attenuatus, H. brunneus, and H. ater. This indicated that there is a close genetic relationship between these species.

Ergothioneine attenuates varicocele-induced testicular damage by upregulating HSP90AA1 in rats.

This study investigates the therapeutic effect and the underlying mechanisms of ergothioneine (EGT) on the testicular damage caused by varicocele (VC) in vivo, in vitro, and in silico. This preclinical study combines a series of biological experiments and network pharmacology analyses. A total of 18 Sprague Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly and averagely divided into three groups: the sham-operated, VC model, and VC model with EGT treatment (VC + EGT) groups. The left renal vein of the VC model and the VC + EGT groups were half-ligated for 4 weeks. Meanwhile, the VC + EGT group was intragastrically administrated with EGT (10 mg/kg). GC1 and GC2 cells were exposed to H2 O2 with or without EGT treatment to re-verify the conclusion. The structure disorder of seminiferous tubules ameliorated the apoptosis decrease in the VC rats receiving EGT. EGT can also increase the sperm quality of the VC model rats (p < 0.05). The exposure to H2 O2 decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis of GC1 and GC2 cells, which was revisable by adding EGT to the plates (p < 0.05). The network pharmacology and molecular docking were conducted to explore the potential targets of EGT in VC, and HSP90AA1 was identified as the pivotal gene, which was validated by western blot, immunohistochemistry, and RT-qPCR both in vivo and in vitro (p < 0.05). Overall, EGT attenuates the testicular injury in the VC model both in vivo and in vitro by potentially potentiating the expression of HSP90AA1.

A 3-Gene Random Forest Model to Diagnose Non-obstructive Azoospermia Based on Transcription Factor-Related Henes.

Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is one of the most severe forms of male infertility, but its diagnosis biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity are largely unknown. Transcription factors (TFs) play essential roles in many pathological processes in different diseases. Herein, we aimed to identify the TFs showing high diagnosis ability for NOA through machine learning algorithms. The transcriptome data of the testicular tissue from 11 control and 47 NOA subjects were set as the training dataset; meanwhile, 1665 TFs were retrieved from the HumanTFDB. Through the feature extraction methods, including genomic difference analysis, Lasso, Boruta, SVM-RFE, and logistic regression, ETV2, TBX2, and ZNF689 were ultimately screened and then were included in the random forest (RF) diagnosis model. The RF model displayed high predictive power in the training (F-measure = 1) and two external validation (n = 31, F-measure = 0.902; n = 20, F-measure = 0.941) cohorts. The seminal plasma and testicular biopsy samples of 20 control and 20 NOA patients were collected from the local hospital, and the expression levels of ETV2, TBX2, and ZNF689 were measured via RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. The RF model could also distinguish the NOA samples in the local cohort (F-measure = 0.741). Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, which was based on the 432 testicular cell samples from an NOA patient, showed that ETV2, TBX2, and ZNF689 were all significantly associated with spermatogenesis. In all, a 3-TF random forest diagnosis model was successfully established, providing novel insights into the latent mechanisms of NOA.

Association Between the Variability of Glycated Hemoglobin and Retinopathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis.

Visit-to-visit variability of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a marker of long-term glycemic fluctuation, which has been related to increased risk of macrovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The association between HbA1c variability and retinopathy in patients with T2DM, however, has been inconsistent in previous studies. In order to fully evaluate the above association, we conducted a meta-analysis. Observational studies related to the aim of the meta-analysis were identified by search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases. Studies with HbA1c variability evaluated as the standard deviation (SD) and/or the coefficients of variation (CV) of HbA1c were included. The results were analyzed using a random-effects model that incorporated potential heterogeneity between studies. Twelve observational studies involving 44 662 T2DM patients contributed to the meta-analysis. Overall, 5150 (11.5%) patients developed retinopathy. Pooled results showed that compared to patients with lower HbA1c variability, T2DM patients with higher HbA1c-SD (relative risk [RR]: 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24 to 1.78, p<0.001, I2=34%) and higher HbA1c-CV (RR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.59, p=0.02, I2=0%) were both associated with higher risk of DR. For studies with HbA1c-SD, the association was not significantly affected by study characteristics such as country, study design, mean age, disease duration, adjustment of mean HbA1c, or quality scores (p for subgroup difference all>0.05). In conclusion, higher HbA1c variability may be associated with an increased risk of retinopathy in patients with T2DM.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome after colectomy: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome, also known as Wilkie syndrome, is a rare benign disease characterized by small bowel obstruction due to compression of the third portion of the duodenum by the SMA and the abdominal aorta. However, SMA syndrome after colectomy is extremely rare, establishing a clear diagnosis and formulating a treatment plan may be challenging for surgeons. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 64-year-old male with multiple colon polyposis and constipation underwent laparoscopic subtotal colectomy with cecal-rectal anastomosis. On the seventh postoperative day, he started vomiting and complained of abdominal bloating. DIAGNOSIS: An upper gastrointestinal series, computed tomography scan and computed tomography angiography confirmed the diagnosis of SMA syndrome. INTERVENTIONS: Gastric decompression, nasojejunal tube feeding and parenteral nutrition were performed. OUTCOMES: After 3 weeks of conservative treatment, the patient showed no clinical improvement in symptoms. Subsequently, he suffered from gastrointestinal hemorrhage, deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity and cerebral hemorrhage successively. Unfortunately, the patient eventually died. LESSONS: Surgeons should be aware of the fact that SMA syndrome can occur after colectomy. Every attempt should be made to correct and avoid any predisposing factors perioperatively. Prompt diagnosis of SMA syndrome after colectomy and appropriate early intervention reduce mortality.

Solitary necrotic nodules of the liver with "ring"-like calcification: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Solitary necrotic nodule of the liver (SNNL) is a rare benign lesion with a complete necrotic core and a clear fibrous capsule containing elastic fibers. We present the case of a patient with a radiographic computed tomography (CT) finding of "ring"-like annular calcification within the lesion and postoperative pathologic diagnosis of necrotic nodules wrapped by dense fibers in liver tissue, as well as the patient's subsequent management and outcome. CASE SUMMARY: A 38-year-old Chinese woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus treated with prednisone and hydroxychloroquine, without any symptoms, was found to have hepatic space-occupying lesions by imaging examination at a health examination. A subsequent CT scan suggested a space-occupying lesion of the liver with annular calcification, which was not defined to be benign or malignant. After that, a laparoscopic hepatic space-occupying resection was performed. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was necrotic nodules wrapped by dense fibers in the liver tissue, and the final diagnosis was SNNL. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery. CONCLUSION: There is a "ring"-like calcification in SNNL. This patient had a history of systemic lupus erythematosus, without a history of parasite infection, trauma, or tumor. Therefore, whether the etiology and pathological changes of SNNL are related to rheumatic immune diseases remains to be investigated.

ACO1 and IREB2 downregulation confer poor prognosis and correlate with autophagy-related ferroptosis and immune infiltration in KIRC.

Background: ACO1 and IREB2 are two homologous cytosolic regulatory proteins, which sense iron levels and change iron metabolism-linked molecules. These two genes were noticeably decreased in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), which confer poor survival. Meanwhile, there is a paucity of information about the mechanisms and clinical significance of ACO1 and IREB2 downregulation in renal cancers. Methods: The expression profiles of ACO1 and IREB2 were assessed using multiple public data sets via several bioinformatics platforms. Clinical and pathological information was utilized to stratify cohorts for comparison. Patient survival outcomes were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier plotter, a meta-analysis tool. The correlations of ACO1 and IREB2 with ferroptosis were further evaluated in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-KIRC database. Tumor immune infiltration was analyzed using the CIBERSORT, TIMER, and GEPIA data resources. ACO1 antagonist sodium oxalomalate (OMA) and IREB2 inhibitor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was used to treat renal cancer ACHN cells together with sorafenib. Results: KIRC patients with low ACO1 or IREB2 contents exhibited a remarkably worse survival rate in contrast with those with high expression in Kaplan-Meier survival analyses. Meanwhile, ACO1 and IREB2 regulate autophagy-linked ferroptosis along with immune cell invasion in the tumor microenvironment in KIRC patients. Blocking the activation of these two genes by their inhibitors OMA and SNP ameliorated sorafenib-triggered cell death, supporting that ACO1 and IREB2 could be participated in its cytotoxic influence on renal cancer cells. Conclusion: ACO1 and IREB2 downregulation in renal cancers were correlated with cancer aggressiveness, cellular iron homeostasis, cytotoxic immune cell infiltration, and patient survival outcomes. Our research is integral to verify the possible significance of ACO1 and IREB2 contents as a powerful signature for targeted treatment or novel immunotherapy in clinical settings.

An Immunosenescence-Related Gene Signature to Evaluate the Prognosis, Immunotherapeutic Response, and Cisplatin Sensitivity of Bladder Cancer.

Immunosenescence refers to the immune system undergoing a series of degenerative changes with advancing age and is tightly associated with the initiation and progression of cancers. However, the immunosenescence-related genes as critical biomarkers for bladder cancer (BLCA) have not been systematically analyzed. We retrieved the immunosenescence-related genes from the public database and verified their association with hallmarks of immunosenescence based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. Through gene pairing, Lasso, and univariate Cox regression, an 8-gene pair model was constructed to evaluate the overall survival of BLCA, which was then validated in the training cohort (P < 0.001, n = 396), two external validation cohorts (P < 0.05, n = 165; P < 0.001, n = 224), and local samples (P < 0.05, n = 10). We also downloaded the clinical information and gene expression matrices of other 32 different cancers from TCGA. The established model showed significant predictive value for the prognosis in 15 cancers (P < 0.05). The risk model could also serve as a promising predictor for immunotherapeutic response, which has been verified by the TIDE algorithm (P < 0.05), IMvigor210 dataset (P < 0.01, n = 298), and other two datasets correlated with immunotherapy (P < 0.05, n = 56; P = 0.17, n = 27). The TCGA dataset, in vitro cell experiments, and pan-cancer analysis displayed that the gene signature was associated with cisplatin sensitivity (P < 0.05). Overall, we proposed a novel immunosenescence-related gene signature to predict prognosis, immunotherapeutic response, and cisplatin sensitivity of BLCA, which were validated in different independent cohorts, local samples, and pan-cancer analyses.

The complete mitochondrial genome of invasive insect Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say 1824 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say 1824, an invasive and globally devastating beetle, inflicts great damage to potato crops worldwide. The complete mitogenome of L. decemlineata is described in this study. It is a 16,741 bp long circular DNA molecule with a high A + T content of 76.9%, containing a typical 37 gene pattern. All PCGs (protein-coding genes) initiate with typical ATN codons. Most PCGs use TAN as a stop codon, whereas ND4 and COX3 use the incomplete codon TA as the stop codon. The lengths of rrnL and rrnS genes are 1,337 bp and 811 bp, respectively. All 22 tRNAs ranged from 62 to 77 bp. Phylogenetic analysis of Chrysomelidae indicated that L. decemlineata clusteres with three other Chrysomelinae species, which is consistent with previous analyses.