Psychological impacts of lobectomy and total thyroidectomy in PTC measuring 1 to 4 cm with low to intermediate risk of recurrence.

PURPOSE: To investigate the implications of Lobectomy (LT) or total thyroidectomy (TT) on psychological distress and sleep quality in PTC patients with a low to intermediate risk of recurrence and tumors measuring 1 to 4 cm. METHODS: Patients who were admitted to our hospital between July 2021 and July 2022 were prospectively enrolled in this survey. Psychological distress and sleep quality were assessed at hospitalization, discharge, and 1, 3, and 6 months post-treatment using validated scales. Participants were divided into LT and TT groups, with propensity score matching (PSM) applied for analyses. RESULTS: Among 525 eligible PTC patients, 440 patients completed all the questionnaires throughout the follow-up. After PSM, 166 patients underwent LT, and 166 patients underwent TT were enrolled. The psychological distress and sleep quality of patients in the LT group remained relatively stable during the 6-month follow-up, but patients in the TT group may have faced greater sleep quality concerns in the longitudinal assessment. Additionally, the sleep quality of the TT group was also worse than that of the LT group postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The sleep quality rather than other psychological distress of patients with PTC with a low to intermediate risk of recurrence is associated with the extent of surgery.

Molecular behavior of silicone adhesive at buried polymer interface studied by molecular dynamics simulation and sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy.

Silicones have excellent material properties and are used extensively in many applications, ranging from adhesives and lubricants to electrical insulation. To ensure strong adhesion of silicone adhesives to a wide variety of substrates, silane-based adhesion promotors are typically blended into the silicone adhesive formulation. However, little is known at the molecular level about the true silane adhesion promotion mechanism, which limits the ability to develop even more effective adhesion promoters. To understand the adhesion promotion mechanism of silane molecules at the molecular level, this study has used sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG) to determine the behavior of (3-glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxy silane (γ-GPS) at the buried interface between poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and a bulk silicone adhesive. To complement and extend the SFG results, atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were applied to investigate molecular behavior and interfacial interaction of γ-GPS at the silicone/PET interface. Free energy computations were used to study the γ-GPS interaction in the sample system and determine the γ-GPS interfacial segregation mechanism. Both experiments and simulations consistently show that γ-GPS molecules prefer to segregate at the interface between PET and PDMS. The methoxy groups on γ-GPS molecules orient toward the PDMS polymer phase. The consistent picture of interfacial structure emerging from both simulation and experiment provides enhanced insight on how γ-GPS behaves in the silicone - PET system and illustrates why γ-GPS could improve the adhesion of silicone adhesive, leading to further understanding of silicone adhesion mechanisms useful in the design of silicone adhesives with improved performance.

HMGA1 sensitizes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma to mTOR inhibitors through the ETS1-FKBP12 axis.

Esophageal carcinoma is amongst the prevalent malignancies worldwide, characterized by unclear molecular classifications and varying clinical outcomes. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, one of the frequently perturbed dysregulated pathways in human malignancies, has instigated the development of various inhibitory agents targeting this pathway, but many ESCC patients exhibit intrinsic or adaptive resistance to these inhibitors. Here, we aim to explore the reasons for the insensitivity of ESCC patients to mTOR inhibitors. We assessed the sensitivity to rapamycin in various ESCC cell lines by determining their respective IC50 values and found that cells with a low level of HMGA1 were more tolerant to rapamycin. Subsequent experiments have supported this finding. Through a transcriptome sequencing, we identified a crucial downstream effector of HMGA1, FKBP12, and found that FKBP12 was necessary for HMGA1-induced cell sensitivity to rapamycin. HMGA1 interacted with ETS1, and facilitated the transcription of FKBP12. Finally, we validated this regulatory axis in in vivo experiments, where HMGA1 deficiency in transplanted tumors rendered them resistance to rapamycin. Therefore, we speculate that mTOR inhibitor therapy for individuals exhibiting a reduced level of HMGA1 or FKBP12 may not work. Conversely, individuals exhibiting an elevated level of HMGA1 or FKBP12 are more suitable candidates for mTOR inhibitor treatment.

The prognostic value of lymph node dissection in patients with parathyroid carcinoma.

Background: Surgery is the only curative treatment strategy for parathyroid carcinoma (PC). However, the optimal extent of surgery remains uncertain, particularly regarding whether routine central lymph node dissection (LND) confers a survival advantage to patients with PC. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of LND in PC patients. Methods: Patients diagnosed with PC between 2004 and 2018 were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-18 registries. With inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 338 patients were included as cohort 1 to describe the characteristics of PC, while 215 patients were selected as cohort 2 to assess the effect of LND on cancer-specific survival (CSS). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify independent risk factors associated with CSS. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to adjust for potential confounding variables. The prognostic value of LND was further analyzed in subgroups stratified by predictors associated with CSS. Results: The 5- and 10-year CSS were 94.4% and 87.9% respectively in cohort 1. LND failed to significantly improve CSS in the entire cohort 2 and the PSM cohort 2. Large tumor size (>40 mm) and distant metastasis were independently associated with poor CSS. Subgroup analyses revealed that LND was not significantly associated with improved CSS in patients with aggressive PC, such as those with a tumor size greater than 40 mm. Unexpectedly, LND may compromise CSS in patients with distant disease (P=0.03). Conclusions: PC is a rare and indolent endocrine malignancy. The presence of large tumors and distant metastases are independent predictors of poor CSS. Routine central LND as part of initial surgery does not significantly improve CSS in PC patients, even for those with large tumors, lymph node metastasis, or distant disease.

Enantioselective construction of stereogenic-at-sulfur(IV) centres via catalytic acyl transfer sulfinylation.

Chiral sulfur pharmacophores are crucial for drug discovery in bioscience and medicinal chemistry. While the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of sulfoxides and sulfinate esters with stereogenic-at-sulfur(IV) centres is well developed, the synthesis of chiral sulfinamides remains challenging, which has primarily been attributed to the high nucleophilicity and competing reactions of amines. In this study, we have developed an efficient methodology for the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of chiral sulfinamides and sulfinate esters by the sulfinylation of diverse nucleophiles, including aromatic amines and alcohols, using our bifunctional chiral 4-arylpyridine N-oxides as catalysts. The remarkable results are a testament to the efficiency, versatility and broad applicability of the developed synthetic approach, serving as a valuable tool for the synthesis of sulfur pharmacophores. Mechanistic experiments and density functional theory calculations revealed that the initiation and stereocontrol of this reaction are induced by an acyl transfer catalyst. Our research provides an efficient approach for the construction of optically pure sulfur(IV) centres.

Real-world setting comparison of bridging therapy versus direct mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intravenous Thrombolysis (IVT) prior to Mechanical Thrombectomy (MT) for Acute Ischaemic Stroke (AIS) due to Large-Vessel Occlusion (LVO) remains controversial. Therefore, the authors performed a meta-analysis of the available real-world evidence focusing on the efficacy and safety of Bridging Therapy (BT) compared with direct MT in patients with AIS due to LVO. METHODS: Four databases were searched until 01 February 2023. Retrospective and prospective studies from nationwide or health organization registry databases that compared the clinical outcomes of BT and direct MT were included. Odds Ratios (ORs) and 95 % Confidence Intervals (CIs) for efficacy and safety outcomes were pooled using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Of the 12 studies, 86,695 patients were included. In patients with AIS due to LVO, BT group was associated with higher odds of achieving excellent functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0-1) at 90 days (OR = 1.48, 95 % CI 1.25-1.75), favorable discharge disposition (to the home with or without services) (OR = 1.33, 95 % CI 1.29-1.38), and decreased mortality at 90 days (OR = 0.62, 95 % CI 0.56-0.70), as compared with the direct MT group. In addition, the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage did not increase significantly in the BT group. CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis indicates that BT was associated with favorable outcomes in patients with AIS due to LVO. These findings support the current practice in a real-world setting and strengthen their validity. For patients eligible for both IVT and MT, BT remains the standard treatment until more data are available.

Multifunctional Antimonene-Silver Nanocomposites for Ultra-Multi-Mode and Multi-Analyte Sensing, Parallel and Batch Logic Computing, Long-Text Information Protection.

To simulate life's emergent functions, mining the multiple sensing capabilities of nanosystems, and digitizing networks of transduction signals and molecular interactions, is an ongoing endeavor. Here, multifunctional antimonene-silver nanocomposites (AM-Ag NCs) are synthesized facilely and fused for molecular sensing and digitization applications (including ultra-multi-mode and multi-analyte sensing, parallel and batch logic computing, long-text information protection). By mixing surfactant, AM, Ag+ and Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) at room temperature for 5 min, the resulting NCs are comprised of Ag nanoparticles scattered within AM nanosheets and protected by the surfactant. Interestingly, AM-Ag NCs exhibit ultra-multi-mode sensing ability for multiplex metal ions (Hg2+, Fe3+, or Al3+), which significantly improved selectivity (≈2 times) and sensitivity (≈400 times) when analyzing the combined channels. Moreover, multiple sensing capabilities of AM-Ag NCs enable diverse batch and parallel molecular logic computations (including advanced cascaded logic circuits). Ultra-multi-mode selective patterns of AM-Ag NCs to 18 kinds of metal ions can be converted into a series of binary strings by setting the thresholds, and realized high-density, long-text information protection for the first time. This study provides new ideas and paradigms for the preparation and multi-purpose application of 2D nanocomposites, but also offers new directions for the fusion of molecular sensing and informatization.

Tuning vibration-induced emission through macrocyclization and catenation.

In order to investigate the effect of macrocyclization and catenation on the regulation of vibration-induced emission (VIE), the typical VIE luminogen 9,14-diphenyl-9,14-dihydrodibenzo[a, c]phenazine (DPAC) was introduced into the skeleton of a macrocycle and corresponding [2]catenane to evaluate their dynamic relaxation processes. As investigated in detail by femtosecond transient absorption (TA) spectra, the resultant VIE systems revealed precisely tunable emissions upon changing the solvent viscosity, highlighting the key effect of the formation of [2]catenane. Notably, the introduction of an additional pillar[5]arene macrocycle featuring unique planar chirality endows the resultant chiral VIE-active [2]catenane with attractive circularly polarized luminescence in different states. This work not only develops a new strategy for the design of new luminescent systems with tunable vibration induced emission, but also provides a promising platform for the construction of smart chiral luminescent materials for practical applications.

Bimetallic MOFs-Derived NiFe2O4/Fe2O3 Enabled Dendrite-free Lithium Metal Anodes with Ultra-High Area Capacity Based on An Intermittent Lithium Deposition Model.

In practical operating conditions, the lithium deposition behavior is often influenced by multiple coupled factors and there is also a lack of comprehensive and long-term validation for dendrite suppression strategies. Our group previously proposed an intermittent lithiophilic model for high-performance three-dimensional (3D) composite lithium metal anode (LMA), however, the electrodeposition behavior was not discussed. To verify this model, this paper presents a modified 3D carbon cloth (CC) backbone by incorporating NiFe2O4/Fe2O3 (NFFO) nanoparticles derived from bimetallic NiFe-MOFs. Enhanced Li adsorption capacity and lithiophilic modulation were achieved by bimetallic MOFs-derivatives which prompted faster and more homogeneous Li deposition. The intermittent model was further verified in conjunction with the density functional theory (DFT) calculations and electrodeposition behaviors. As a result, the obtained Li-CC@NFFO||Li-CC@NFFO symmetric batteries exhibit prolonged lifespan and low hysteresis voltage even under ultra-high current and capacity conditions (5 mA cm-2, 10 mAh cm-2), what's more, the full battery coupled with a high mass loading (9 mg cm-2) of LiFePO4 cathode can be cycled at a high rate of 5C, the capacity retention is up to 95.2% before 700 cycles. This work is of great significance to understand the evolution of lithium dendrites on the 3D intermittent lithiophilic frameworks.

In silico analysis of the wild-type and mutant-type of BRCA2 gene.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to conduct an in silico analysis of a novel compound heterozygous variant in breast cancer susceptibility gene 2 (BRCA2) to clarify its structure-function relationship and elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). METHODS: A tumor biopsy sample was obtained from a 42-year-old Chinese woman during surgery, and a maxBRCA™ test was conducted using the patient's whole blood. We obtained an experimentally determined 3D structure (1mje.pdb) of the BRCA2 protein from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) as a relatively reliable reference. Subsequently, the wild-type and mutant structures were predicted using SWISS-MODEL and AlphaFold, and the accuracy of these predictions was assessed through the SAVES online server. Furthermore, we utilized a high ambiguity-driven protein-protein docking (HADDOCK) algorithm and protein-ligand interaction profiler (PLIP) to predict the pathogenicity of the mutations and elucidate pathogenic mechanisms that potentially underlies TNBC. RESULTS: Histological examination revealed that the tumor biopsy sample exhibited classical pathological characteristics of TNBC. Furthermore, the maxBRCA™ test revealed two compound heterozygous BRCA2 gene mutations (c.7670 C > T.pA2557V and c.8356G > A.pA2786T). Through performing in silico structural analyses and constructing of 3D models of the mutants, we established that the mutant amino acids valine and threonine were located in the helical domain and oligonucleotide binding 1 (OB1), regions that interact with DSS1. CONCLUSION: Our analysis revealed that substituting valine and threonine in the helical domain region alters the structure and function of BRCA2 proteins. This mutation potentially affects the binding of proteins and DNA fragments and disrupts interactions between the helical domain region and OB1 with DSS1, potentially leading to the development of TNBC. Our findings suggest that the identified compound heterozygous mutation contributes to the clinical presentation of TNBC, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of TNBC and the influence of compound heterozygous mutations in BRCA2.

Acrolein-triggered atherosclerosis via AMPK/SIRT1-CLOCK/BMAL1 pathway and a protection from intermittent fasting.

Circadian clock plays a vital role in the pathological progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Our previous studies showed that acrolein, an environmental pollutant, promoted atherosclerosis by reducing CLOCK/BMAL1 and disturbing circadian rhythm. Whereas, intermittent fasting (IF), a diet pattern, was able to ameliorate acrolein-induced atherosclerosis. In vivo, mice were fed acrolein 3 mg/kg/day via drinking water and IF for 18h (0:00-18:00). We observed that IF decreased acrolein-accelerated the formation of aortic lesion in ApoE -/- mice. Up-regulation of NF-κB, IL-1ß and TNF-α levels were found in liver and heart tissue upon acrolein exposure, while was down-regulated by IF. Interestingly, IF treatment exhibited higher AMPK, p-AMPK and SIRT1and lower MAPK expression which was caused by acrolein. Besides, circadian genes Clock/ Bmal1 expression were suppressed and disturbed treated with acrolein, while were reversed by IF. Furthermore, consistent with that in vivo, short-term starvation as a fasting cell model in vitro could improve the disorders of CLOCK/BMAL1 and raised SIRT1 via regulating AMPK, as well as ROS-MAPK induced by acrolein. In conclusion, we demonstrated that IF repressed ROS-MAPK while activated AMPK to elevate the expression of circadian clock genes to ameliorate acrolein-induced atherogenesis, which shed a novel light to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

The EPRS-ATF4-COLI pathway axis is a potential target for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma therapy.

BACKGROUND: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is recognized as the most aggressive and malignant form of thyroid cancer, underscoring the critical need for effective therapeutic strategies to curb its progression and improve patient prognosis. Halofuginone (HF), a derivative of febrifugine, has displayed antitumor properties across various cancer types. However, there is a paucity of published research focused on the potential of HF to enhance the clinical efficacy of treating ATC. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we thoroughly investigated the antitumor effects and mechanisms of HF in ATC, aiming to discover lead compounds for treating ATC and reveal novel therapeutic targets for ATC tumors. METHODS: A series of assays, including CCK8, colony formation, tumor xenograft models, and ATC tumor organoid experiments, were conducted to evaluate the anticancer properties of HF both in vitro and in vivo. Techniques such as drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS), western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were employed to pinpoint HF target proteins within ATC. Furthermore, we harnessed the GEPIA and GEO databases and performed immunohistochemistry to validate the therapeutic potential of the glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA-synthetase (EPRS)- activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)- type I collagen (COLI) pathway axis in the context of ATC. The study also incorporated RNA sequencing analysis, confocal imaging, and flow cytometry to delve into the molecular mechanisms of HF in ATC. RESULTS: HF exhibited a substantial inhibitory impact on cell proliferation in vitro and on tumor growth in vivo. The DARTS results highlighted HF's influence on EPRS within ATC cells, triggering an amino acid starvation response (AASR) by suppressing EPRS expression, consequently leading to a reduction in COLI expression in ATC cells. The introduction of proline mitigated the effect of HF on ATF4 and COLI expression, indicating that the EPRS-ATF4-COLI pathway axis was a focal target of HF in ATC. Analysis of the expression levels of the EPRS, ATF4, and COLI proteins in thyroid tumors, along with an examination of the relationship between COLI expression and thyroid tumor stage, revealed that HF significantly inhibited the growth of ATC tumor organoids, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of targeting the EPRS-ATF4-COLI pathway axis in ATC. RNA sequencing analysis revealed significant differences in the pathways associated with metastasis and apoptosis between control and HF-treated cells. Transwell assays and flow cytometry experiments provided evidence of the capacity of HF to impede cell migration and induce apoptosis in ATC cells. Furthermore, HF hindered cell metastasis by suppressing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway, acting through the inhibition of FAK-AKT-NF-κB/Wnt-ß-catenin signaling and restraining angiogenesis via the VEGF pathway. HF also promoted apoptosis through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. CONCLUSION: This study provided inaugural evidence suggesting that HF could emerge as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of ATC. The EPRS-ATF4-COLI pathway axis stood out as a prospective biomarker and therapeutic target for ATC.

Supramolecular cage-mediated cargo transport.

A steady stream of material transport based on carriers and channels in living systems plays an extremely important role in normal life activities. Inspired by nature, researchers have extensively applied supramolecular cages in cargo transport because of their unique three-dimensional structures and excellent physicochemical properties. In this review, we will focus on the development of supramolecular cages as carriers and channels for cargo transport in abiotic and biological systems over the past fifteen years. In addition, we will discuss future challenges and potential applications of supramolecular cages in substance transport.

Unhealthy diets increase the likelihood of being overweight or obese among African migrant students in China, but not among African non-migrant students: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is disproportionately felt by immigrants from low- to medium-income countries (LMICs), partly due to their dietary habits. To thrive in their new environment, migrants either omit or consume certain food items, which could lead to nutritional deficits. As a result, most migrants experience more NCDs than their compatriots in their native countries. Therefore, we evaluated the difference in dietary habits, quality, and the influencing factors of overweight or obesity among African migrant students in Nanjing (China) and non-migrant students in Africa using cross-sectional data. Methods: The researchers used the food frequency questionnaire and the global diet quality score metrics to assess food intake and quality, respectively. Then, cross-tabulation was employed to explore the differences between the groups in meal skipping, eating habits, and diet quality. Finally, the factors associated with overweight or obesity were assessed with binary logistic regression stratified by African students in Nanjing and students in their native countries. Results: Approximately 678 responses were received, mainly between 18-25 years (46.7%) and 26-36 years (45.4 %). The majority of them (52.3%) were international students. The non-migrant African students' diets lacked citrus fruits (22.2%), deep orange fruits (15.4%), deep orange vegetables (18%), cruciferous vegetables (24.6%), and dark leafy vegetables (26.5%). While the African migrant students consumed more high-fat dairy (50.7%), processed meats (23.9%), sweets and ice creams (51.3%), sugar-sweetened beverages (40.5%), and juice (61.5%), p < 0.001. Furthermore, consuming late-night meals constantly [Exp (B) = 39.607, p = 0.049], eating twice a day [Exp (B) = 6.527, p = 0.036], consuming red meat [Exp (B) = 29.287, p = 0.001], processed meats [Exp (B) = 719.979, p = 0.0011], refined grains and baked foods [Exp (B) = 15.752, p = 0.013], and sweets and ice cream [Exp (B) = 193.633, p = 0.006] were factors inducing overweight or obesity among only African migrant students. Conclusion: Controlling the what (Western diet and nature of late-night meals) and the when of eating can drastically reduce their influence on obesogenic condition formation in African migrant students in China and elsewhere.

Psychological impacts of thermal ablation and conventional thyroidectomy in BTN patients: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Thermal ablation and conventional thyroidectomy are effective therapeutic methods for treating benign thyroid nodules (BTNs), but the psychological impacts of these methods in BTN patients are largely unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This survey study prospectively enrolled patients who were admitted to our hospital between July 2021 and July 2022. The four validated scales were applied to quantify psychological distress and sleep quality at five points (the day admitted to the hospital, the day discharged from the hospital, and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment). Participants who were diagnosed with BTNs and completed the questionnaires were ultimately enrolled and divided into thermal ablation and conventional thyroidectomy groups. A propensity score matching (PSM) cohort was subsequently developed to evaluate longitudinal and cross-sectional changes in psychological-related indicators. RESULTS: Among 548 eligible BTN patients, 460 patients completed all the questionnaires throughout the follow-up (response rate: 83.94%), including 368 (80.00%) patients who underwent thermal ablation and 92 (20.00%) patients who underwent conventional thyroidectomy. After PSM, a total of 342 patients were enrolled (256 patients underwent thermal ablation, and 86 patients underwent conventional thyroidectomy). The psychological-related indicators of patients in the thermal ablation group remained relatively stable during the 6-month follow-up, but patients in the conventional thyroidectomy group may have experienced greater anxiety and sleep quality concerns in the longitudinal assessment. Additionally, in the cross-sectional evaluation, the sleep quality of the thermal ablation group was also better than that of the conventional thyroidectomy group postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Thermal ablation is superior to conventional thyroidectomy for BTN patients in terms of psychological-related indicators.

Analysis of risk factors for lateral lymph node metastasis in T1 stage papillary thyroid carcinoma: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The occurrence of cervical lymph node metastasis in T1 stage papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is frequently observed. Notably, lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) emerges as a critical risk factor adversely affecting prognostic outcomes in PTC. The primary aim of this investigation was to delineate the risk factors associated with LLNM in the initial stages of PTC. Methods: This retrospective analysis encompassed 3,332 patients diagnosed with T1 stage PTC without evident LLNM at the time of diagnosis. These individuals underwent primary surgical intervention at West China Hospital, Sichuan University between June 2017 and February 2023. The cohort was divided into two groups: patients manifesting LLNM and those without metastasis at the time of surgery. Additionally, T1 stage PTC patients were subdivided into T1a and T1b categories. Factors influencing LLNM were scrutinized through both univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The incidence of LLNM was observed in 6.2% of the cohort (206 out of 3,332 patients). Univariate analysis revealed significant correlations between LLNM and male gender (P<0.001), tumor localization in the upper lobe (P<0.001), maximal volume of the primary tumor (P<0.001), largest tumor diameter (P<0.001), multifocality (P<0.001), and bilaterality (P<0.001), with the exception of age (P=0.788) and duration of active surveillance (AS) (P=0.978). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified male gender (P<0.001), upper lobe tumor location (P<0.001), maximal primary tumor volume (P<0.001), and multifocality (P<0.001) as independent predictors of LLNM. However, age categories (≤55, >55 years), maximum tumor diameter, bilaterality, and surveillance duration did not exhibit a significant impact. Comparative analyses between T1a and T1b subgroups showed congruent univariate results but revealed differences in multivariate outcomes. In the T1a subgroup, gender, tumor location, and multifocality (all P<0.05) were associated with elevated LLNM risk. Conversely, in the T1b subgroup, tumor location, dimensions, and multifocality (all P<0.05) were significant predictors of LLNM risk, whereas gender (P=0.097) exerted a marginal influence. Conclusions: The investigation highlights several key risk factors for LLNM in T1 stage PTC patients, including gender, upper lobe tumor location, larger tumor size, and multifocality. Conversely, prolonged AS and younger age did not significantly elevate LLNM risk, suggesting the viability of AS as a strategic option in selected cases.

Succinic Acid Ameliorates Concanavalin A-Induced Hepatitis by Altering the Inflammatory Microenvironment and Expression of BCL-2 Family Proteins.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a severe immune-mediated inflammatory liver disease that currently lacks feasible drug treatment methods. Our study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of succinic acid against AIH and provide a reliable method for the clinical treatment of AIH. We performed an in vivo study of the effects of succinic acid on concanavalin A (ConA)-induced liver injury in mice. We examined liver transaminase levels, performed hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and observed apoptotic phenotypes in mice. We performed flow cytometry to detect changes in the number of neutrophils and monocytes, and used liposomes to eliminate the liver Kupffer cells and evaluate their role. We performed bioinformatics analysis, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and western blotting to detect mitochondrial apoptosis-induced changes in proteins from the B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2) family. Succinic acid ameliorated ConA-induced AIH in a concentration-dependent manner, as reflected in the survival curve. HE and TUNEL staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling revealed decreased alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, and reduced liver inflammation and apoptosis. RT-qPCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that succinic acid significantly reduced liver pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Flow cytometry revealed significantly decreased levels of liver neutrophils. Moreover, the protective effect of succinic acid disappeared after the Kupffer cells were eliminated, confirming their important role in the effect. Bioinformatics analysis, RT-qPCR, and western blotting showed that succinic acid-induced changes in proteins from the Bcl-2 family involved mitochondrial apoptosis, indicating the molecular mechanism underlying the protective effect of succinic acid. Succinic acid ameliorated ConA-induced liver injury by regulating immune balance, inhibiting pro-inflammatory factors, and promoting anti-apoptotic proteins in the liver. This study provides novel insights into the biological functions and therapeutic potential of succinic acid in the treatment of autoimmune liver injury.

Unusual coexistence: branchial cleft cyst harboring papillary thyroid carcinoma with lymph node metastasis - a rare case report and clinical insights.

Background: The simultaneous occurrence of Branchial Cleft Cyst (BCC) and Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (PTC) represents an unusual malignant tumor, with cases featuring associated lymph node metastasis being particularly rare. This combination underscores an increased potential for metastasis, and the assessment of neck masses, particularly on the lateral aspect, may inadvertently overlook the scrutiny of the thyroid. Therefore, healthcare providers should exercise vigilance, especially in patients over the age of 40, regarding the potential for neck masses to signify metastasis from thyroid malignancies. Currently, surgical intervention stands as the primary effective curative method, while the postoperative administration of radioactive iodine therapy remains a topic of ongoing debate. Case report: In the presented case, a 48-year-old male patient with a right neck mass underwent surgical intervention. The procedure included the excision of the right neck mass, unilateral thyroidectomy with isthmus resection, and functional neck lymph node dissection under tracheal intubation and general anesthesia. Postoperative pathology findings revealed the coexistence of a BCC with metastatic PTC in the right neck mass, as well as papillary carcinoma in the right thyroid lobe. Lymph node metastasis was observed in the central and levels III of the right neck. Conclusion: The rare amalgamation of a BCC with PTC and concurrent lymph node metastasis underscores the invasive nature of this malignancy. Healthcare professionals should be well-acquainted with its clinical presentation, pathological characteristics, and diagnostic criteria. A multidisciplinary approach is strongly recommended to enhance patient outcomes.

Constructing 2D Polyphenols-Based Crosslinked Networks for Ultrafast and Selective Uranium Extraction from Seawater.

The role of tannins (TA), a well-known abundant and ecologically friendly chelating ligand, in metal capture has long been studied. Different kinds of TA-containing adsorbents are synthesized for uranium capture, while most adsorbents suffer from unfavorable adsorption kinetics. Herein, the design and preparation of a TA-containing 2D crosslinked network adsorbent (TANP) is reported. The ≈1.8-nanometer-thick TANP films curl up into micrometer-scale pores, which contribute to fast mass transfer and full exposure of active sites. The coordination environment of uranyl (UO2 2+) ions is explored by integrated analysis of U L3-edge XANES and EXAFS. Density functional theory calculations indicate the energetically favorable UO2 2+ binding. Consequently, TANP with excellent adsorption kinetics presents a high uranium capture capacity (14.62 mg-U g-Ads-1) and a high adsorption rate (0.97 mg g-1 day-1) together with excellent selectivity and biofouling resistance. Life cycle assessment and cost analysis demonstrate that TANP has tremendous potential for application in industrial-scale uranium extraction from seawater.