A rapid procedure for isotopic purification of copper and nickel from seawater using an automated chromatography system.

BACKGROUND: Trace metals such as iron, nickel, copper, zinc, and cadmium (Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cd) are essential micronutrients (and sometimes toxins) for phytoplankton, and the analysis of trace-metal stable isotopes in seawater is a valuable tool for exploring the biogeochemical cycling of these elements in the ocean. However, the complex and often time-consuming chromatography process required to purify these elements from seawater has limited the number of trace-metal isotope samples which can be easily processed in biogeochemical studies. To facilitate the trace-metal stable isotope analysis, here, we describe a new rapid procedure that utilizes automated chromatography for extracting and purifying Ni and Cu from seawater for isotope analysis using a prepFAST-MC™ system (Elemental Scientific Inc.). RESULTS: We have tested the matrix removal effectiveness, recoveries, and procedural blanks of the new purification procedure with satisfactory results. A nearly complete recovery of Ni and a quantitative recovery of Cu are achieved. The total procedural blanks are 0.33 ± 0.24 ng for Ni and 0.42 ± 0.18 ng for Cu, which is negligible for natural seawater samples. The new procedure cleanly separates Ni and Cu from key seawater matrix elements that may cause interferences during mass spectrometry analysis. When the new procedure was used to purify seawater samples for Ni and Cu stable isotope analysis by multi-collector ICP-MS, we achieved an overall uncertainty of 0.07 ‰ for δ60Ni and 0.09 ‰ for δ65Cu (2 SD). The new purification procedure was also tested using natural seawater samples from the South Pacific, for comparison of δ60Ni and δ65Cu achieved in the same samples purified by traditional hand columns. Both methods produced similar results, and the results from both methods are consistent with analyses of δ60Ni and δ65Cu from other ocean locations as reported by other laboratories. SIGNIFICANCE: This study presents a new rapid procedure for seawater stable-metal isotope analysis by automating the chromatography step. We anticipate that the automated chromatography described here will facilitate the rapid and accurate analysis of seawater δ60Ni and δ65Cu in future studies, and may be adapted in the future to automate chromatographic purification of Fe, Zn, and Cd isotopes from seawater.

2024 multidisciplinary consensus on image-guided lung tumor ablation from the Taiwan Academy of Tumor Ablation.

In this article, the multidisciplinary team of the Taiwan Academy of Tumor Ablation, who have expertise in treating lung cancer, present their perspectives on percutaneous image-guided thermal ablation (IGTA) of lung tumors. The modified Delphi technique was applied to reach a consensus on clinical practice guidelines concerning ablation procedures, including a comprehensive literature review, selection of panelists, creation of a rating form and survey, and arrangement of an in-person meeting where panelists agreed or disagreed on various points. The conclusion was a final rating and written summary of the agreement. The multidisciplinary expert team agreed on 10 recommendations for the use of IGTA in the lungs. These recommendations include terms and definitions, line of treatment planning, modality, facility rooms, patient anesthesia settings, indications, margin determination, post-ablation image surveillance, qualified centers, and complication ranges. In summary, IGTA is a safe and feasible approach for treating primary and metastatic lung tumors, with a relatively low complication rate. However, decisions regarding the ablation technique should consider each patient's specific tumor characteristics.

Cone Beam CT Derived Laser-Guided Percutaneous Lung Ablation: Minimizing Needle-Related Complications Under General Anesthesia with Lung Separation.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Percutaneous lung tumor ablations are mostly performed in computed tomography (CT) rooms under local anesthesia with conscious sedation. However, maintaining the breath-hold phase during this can be challenging, affecting image quality and increasing complications. With the advent of hybrid operating rooms (HORs), this procedure can be performed with endotracheal tube (ETGA) intubation under general anesthesia with lung separation, ensuring precise imaging in a single-stage setting. Lung separation provides surgical exposure of one lung while ensuring ample gas exchange with the other. This study evaluated tumor ablations performed in an HOR equipped with cone beam CT and laser guidance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included patients who underwent lung tumor ablation under general anesthesia with an ETGA in an HOR between July 2020 and May 2023. Anesthesia considerations, perioperative management, and postoperative follow-ups were evaluated. RESULTS: 65 patients (78 tumors) underwent ablation using two types of lung ventilation methods including a single-lumen tube with a blocker (SLT/BL) (n = 15) and double-lumen tube (DLT) (n = 50). Most patients experienced desaturation during the apnea phase of dynamic CT and needling. The average SpO2 value was significantly lower in the DLT group than in the SLT/BL group during the procedure (81.1% versus 88.7%, P = 0.033). Five, three, and two patients developed pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, and pleural effusion, respectively. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous ablation under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation and lung separation performed in HORs was feasible and safe. The setup minimized complication risks and maintained a balance between patient safety and successful procedures.

Deoxyshikonin triggers apoptosis in cervical cancer cells through p38 MAPK-mediated caspase activation.

Deoxyshikonin (DSK) is a biological component derived from Lithospermum erythrorhizon. Although DSK possesses potential anticancer activities, whether DSK exerts anticancer effects on cervical cancer cells is incompletely explored. This study was aimed to investigate the anticancer activity of DSK against cervical cancer cells and its molecular mechanisms. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. Level of phosphorylation and protein was determined using Western blot. Involvement of signaling kinases was assessed by specific inhibitors. Our results revealed that DSK reduced viability of human cervical cell in a dose-dependent fashion. Meanwhile, DSK significantly elicited apoptosis of HeLa and SiHa cells. Apoptosis microarray was used to elucidate the involved pathways, and the results showed that DSK dose-dependently diminished cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1 (cIAP1), cIAP2, and XIAP, and induced cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and caspase-8/9/3. Furthermore, we observed that DSK significantly triggered activation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK (p38), and only inhibition of p38 diminished the DSK-mediated pro-caspases cleavage. Taken together, our results demonstrate that DSK has anti-cervical cancer effects via the apoptotic cascade elicited by downregulation of IAPs and p38-mediated caspase activation. This suggests that DSK could act as an adjuvant to facilitate cervical cancer management.

The Genetic Variants of Long Noncoding RNA MEG3 and Its Association to the Clinical Features of Diabetic Retinopathy.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the potential correlation between the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) and the clinical manifestations of diabetic retinopathy (DR). METHODS: Five loci of MEG3 SNPs including rs4081134 (G/A), rs10144253 (T/C), rs7158663 (G/A), rs3087918 (T/G) and rs11160608 (A/C) were genotyped by TaqMan allelic discrimination in 457 non-DR patients and 280 DR individuals. RESULTS: The distribution frequency of MEG3 SNP rs7158663 GA (AOR: 0.683, 95% CI: 0.478-0.975, p = 0.036) and MEG3 SNP rs7158663 GA + AA (AOR: 0.686, 95% CI: 0.487-0.968, p = 0.032) were significantly lower in the DR group. And the MEG3 SNP rs7158663 GA + AA (AOR: 0.610, 95% CI: 0.377-0.985, p = 0.043) demonstrated a significantly lower distribution frequency in the male DR group. Besides, the DR patients with MEG3 SNP rs7158663 GA + AA genotype showed a significantly lower HbA1c level than the DR patients with MEG3 SNP rs7158663 GG genotype (7.29 ± 1.23 versus 7.74 ± 1.49, p = 0.013). Moreover, in the analysis using data from gene expression data series database, a higher MEG3 level was significantly correlated to a lower miR-182 level in the database (p = 0.0114). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the distribution frequency of MEG3 SNP rs7158663 GA + AA genotype was lower in DR, while the DR would develop under lower HbA1c level in DM patients with this MEG3 SNP variant.

Augmented fluoroscopy-guided dye localization for small pulmonary nodules in hybrid operating room: intrathoracic stamping versus transbronchial marking.

PURPOSE: We developed a novel augmented fluoroscopy-guided intrathoracic stamping technique for localizing small pulmonary nodules in the hybrid operating room. We conducted an observational study to investigate the feasibility of this technique and retrospectively compared two augmented fluoroscopy-guided approaches: intrathoracic and transbronchial. METHODS: From August 2020 to March 2023, consecutive patients underwent single-stage augmented fluoroscopy-guided localization under general anaesthesia. This included intrathoracic stamping and bronchoscopic lung marking, followed by thoracoscopic resection in a hybrid operating room. Comparative analyses were performed between the two groups. RESULTS: The data of 50 patients in the intrathoracic stamping and 67 patients in the bronchoscopic lung marking groups were analysed. No significant difference was noted in demographic data between the groups, except a larger lesion depth in the bronchoscopic lung marking group (14.7 ± 11.7 vs 11.0 ± 5.8 mm, p = 0.029). Dye localization was successfully performed in 49 intrathoracic stamping group patients (98.0%) and 67 bronchoscopic lung marking group patients (100%). No major procedure-related complications occurred in either group; however, the time flow (total anaesthesia time/global operating room time) was longer, and the radiation exposure (fluoroscopy duration/total dose area product) was larger in the bronchoscopic lung marking group. CONCLUSIONS: Augmented fluoroscopic stamping localization under intubated general anaesthesia is feasible and safe, providing an alternative with less global operating room time and lower radiation exposure for image-guided thoracoscopic surgery in the hybrid operating room.

The use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and the incidence of uveitis in type 2 diabetes: a population-based cohort study.

Introduction: To survey the potential correlation between the application of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and the incidence of uveitis in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Material and methods: A retrospective cohort study using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) was conducted. The T2DM patients using SGLT2 inhibitors and those taking other anti-diabetic medications were assigned to the SGLT2 group and the control group, respectively, with a 1 : 2 ratio via the propensity score-matching (PSM) method. The major outcome in this study is the development of uveitis according to the diagnostic codes. The Cox proportional hazard regression was adopted to yield the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) between the groups. Results: There were 147 and 371 new uveitis episodes in the SGLT2 and control groups after the follow-up period up to 5 years. The incidence of uveitis in the SGLT2 group (aHR = 0.736, 95% CI: 0.602-0.899, p = 0.0007) was significantly lower than that in the control group after adjusting for the effect of all the confounders. In the subgroup analyses, the SGLT2 inhibitors showed a higher correlation with low uveitis incidence in T2DM patients aged under 50 than T2DM individuals aged over 50 years (p = 0.0012), while the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on the incidence of anterior and posterior uveitis development was similar (p = 0.7993). Conclusions: The use of SGLT2 inhibitors could be an independent protective factor for uveitis development in T2DM population.

An advanced fast method for the evaluation of multiple immunolabelling using gold nanoparticles based on low-energy STEM.

We present a powerful method for the simultaneous detection of Au nanoparticles located on both sides of ultrathin sections. The method employs a high-resolution scanning electron microscope (HRSEM) operating in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) mode in combination with the detection of backscattered electrons (BSE). The images are recorded simultaneously during STEM and BSE imaging at the precisely selected accelerating voltage. Under proper imaging conditions, the positions of Au nanoparticles on the top or bottom sides can be clearly differentiated, hence showing this method to be suitable for multiple immunolabelling using Au nanoparticles (NPs) as markers. The difference between the upper and lower Au NPs is so large that it is possible to apply common software tools (such as ImageJ) to enable their automatic differentiation. The effects of the section thickness, detector settings and accelerating voltage on the resulting image are shown. Our experimental results correspond to the results modelled in silico by Monte Carlo (MC) simulations.

Association between gabapentin use and risk of dementia in adults with chronic pain: A nested case-control study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between gabapentin use and the risk of dementia in patients with chronic pain, considering the rising concerns of dementia in an aging population and the potential cognitive impacts of chronic pain management. DESIGN: A nested case-control study utilizing data from a longitudinal health insurance database. SETTING: The study is based on a longitudinal health insurance database spanning 2000-2019 in Taiwan. PATIENTS: A total of 201,492 patients aged 50 years and older diagnosed with chronic pain between 2001 and 2017 were included. The study focused on individuals with chronic pain, excluding those diagnosed with dementia a year before or after their chronic pain diagnosis. INTERVENTION: Analysis of gabapentin prescription history was conducted, considering the cumulative dose from the chronic pain diagnosis date to the dementia diagnosis date or equivalent period for controls. MEASUREMENT: Data included demographics, gabapentin prescription history, and comorbidities. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios for dementia risk. MAIN RESULTS: No significant difference in the risk of dementia was found between low and high cumulative doses of gabapentin. The adjusted odds ratio for dementia risk associated with gabapentin use was 0.91 (95 % C.I. 0.83-1.01), indicating no substantial increase in risk. CONCLUSION: Long-term Gabapentin therapy for chronic pain is not associated with a differential risk of dementia across dosage levels, irrespective of age or gender. Further study into its potential cognitive impacts is essential.

The hiPSC-derived corneal endothelial progenitor-like cell recovers the rabbit model of corneal endothelial dystrophy.

INTRODUCTION: Corneal endothelial dysfunction results in cornea opacity, damaging sightedness, and affecting quality of life. A corneal transplant is the current effective intervention. Due to the scarcity of donated cornea, such an unmet medical need requires a novel therapeutic modality. OBJECTIVES: Customizing patients' corneal endothelial progenitor cells with proliferative activity and lineage restriction properties shall offer sufficient therapeutic cells for corneal endothelial dystrophy. METHODS: The customized induced human corneal endothelial progenitor-like cell (iHCEPLC) was obtained through cell fate conversions starting from PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cell), hiPSC (human induced pluripotent stem cell), and hNCC (human neural crest cell), while it finally reached the iHCEPLC state via a series of induction. Several molecular diagnoses were applied to depict its progenitor state, including RNAseq, FlowCytometer, immunostainings, and rtPCR. Significantly, it can be induced to gain differentiation maturity through contact inhibition. In addition, a BAK-mediated rabbit model of corneal endothelial dystrophy was established in the present study to test the therapeutic effectiveness of the iHCEPLC. RESULTS: After inducing cell fate conversion, the specific HCEC markers were detected by rtPCR and immunostaining in iHCEPLC. Further, RNAseq was applied to distinguish its progenitor-like cell fate from primary human corneal endothelial cells (HECE). FlowCytometry profiled the heterogeneity subpopulation, consistently displaying a subtle difference from primary HCEC. A terminal differentiation can be induced in iHCEPLC, addressing its progenitor-like fate. iHCEPLC can restore the BAK-based rabbit model of corneal endothelial dystrophy. Immunohistochemistry verified that such acuity restoration of the BAK-treated cornea is due to the introduced iHCEPLC, and such therapeutic effectiveness is observed in the long term. CONCLUSION: Here, we demonstrated that customized iHCEPLC has long-term therapeutic efficacy. As a progenitor cell, our iHCEPLC has a restricted cell lineage nature and can proliferate in vitro, supporting sufficient therapeutic candidate cells. Due to the immune-privileged nature of the cornea, our iHCEPLC proves the principle of therapeutical feasibility in both autogenic and allogeneic modalities.

Corneal Endothelial Morphology and Ocular Biometric Indexes in Premature Children With and Without Retinopathy of Prematurity.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) morphology and ocular biometrics in premature (PM) children with or without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: Retrospective data on patient demographics, HCECs status, and ocular biometrics with at least 2 visits between 2016 and 2021 were reviewed. The main outcomes were endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation (CV), hexagonal cell ratio (HEX), central corneal thickness (CCT), axial length, anterior chamber depth, keratometry, corneal diameter, pupil diameter, and refraction status. Generalized estimating equation was used to evaluate the differences between PM no-ROP and ROP groups. We also analyzed the trend of ECD, CV, HEX, and CCT change with age between groups. Results: The study included 173 PM patients without ROP and 139 patients with ROP. A total of 666 and 544 measurements were recorded in the PM no-ROP and ROP groups, respectively. The ROP group had higher spherical power, myopic spherical equivalent (SE), and steeper steep keratometry (K; P < 0.05). The ROP group had higher CV (P = 0.0144), lower HEX (P = 0.0012) and thicker CCT (P = 0.0035). In the HCECs parameters, the ROP group had slower ECD decrement (P < 0.0001), faster CV decrement (P = 0.0060), and faster HEX increment (P = 0.0001). A difference in corneal morphology changes between the ROP and PM no-ROP groups were prominent in patients with lower gestational age (GA) in the subgroup analysis. Conclusions: Worse HCECs morphology and higher myopic status were initially observed in patients with prior ROP but not in PM patients with no-ROP. ECD and HCECs morphology improved with age, especially in patients with low GA.

Comparison of myopic control between orthokeratology contact lenses and defocus incorporated multiple segments spectacle lenses.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in myopic control effects between orthokeratology (OK) contact lenses and defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted that included patients who had received OK lens, DIMS spectacle lens or single-vision spectacle treatments. A total of 54 eyes from 27 individuals, 38 eyes from 19 individuals and 42 eyes from 21 individuals were enrolled into the OK lens, DIMS and control groups, respectively. The primary outcomes were the changes in the spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length (AXL) among the groups. A repeated-measure ANCOVA was adopted to calculate the SER progression and AXL elongation of the OK lens group compared with the DIMS group. Results: The difference in the SER progression was clinically non-significant in the OK lens group compared with the DIMS and control groups (P = 0.001). The total AXL elongation results were similar between the OK lens and DIMS groups, but these were lower than in the control group (P = 0.005). The repeated-measure ANCOVA revealed that the SER progression difference during the study interval was clinically non-significant in the OK lens group when compared with the DIMS group (P = 0.028). The AXL elongation results between the OK lens and DIMS populations did not illustrate a significant difference (P = 0.607). In a subgroup analysis of moderate astigmatism, better AXL control was observed in the DIMS subgroup compared with the OK lens subgroup (P = 0.016). Conclusions: The OK lens demonstrated a clinically non-significant effect on the SER and AXL controls compared with the DIMS spectacle lens.

Wogonin ameliorates ER stress-associated inflammatory response, apoptotic death and renal fibrosis in a unilateral ureteral obstruction mouse model.

Wogonin, a vital bioactive compound extracted from the medicinal plant, Scutellaria baicalensis, has been wildly used for its potential in mitigating the progression of chronic diseases. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a significant global health challenge due to its high prevalence, morbidity and mortality rates, and associated complications. This study aimed to assess the potential of wogonin in attenuating renal fibrosis and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms using a unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mouse model as a CKD mimic. Male mice, 8 weeks old, underwent orally administrated of either 50 mg/kg/day of wogonin or positive control of 5 mg/kg/day candesartan following UUO surgery. NRK52E cells were exposed to tumor growth factors-beta (TGF-ß) to evaluate the anti-fibrotic effects of wogonin. The results demonstrated that wogonin treatment effectively attenuated TGF-ß-induced fibrosis markers in NRK-52E cells. Additionally, administration of wogonin significantly improved histopathological alterations and downregulated the expression of pro-fibrotic factors (Fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin, Collagen IV, E-cadherin, and TGF-ß), oxidative stress markers (Catalase, superoxide dismutase 2, NADPH oxidase 4, and thioredoxin reductase 1), inflammatory molecules (Cyclooxygenase-2 and TNF-α), and the infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages in UUO mice. Furthermore, wogonin treatment mitigated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-associated molecular markers (GRP78, GRP94, ATF4, CHOP, and the caspase cascade) and suppressed apoptosis. The findings indicate that wogonin treatment ameliorates key fibrotic aspects of CKD by attenuating ER stress-related apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress, suggesting its potential as a future therapeutic target.

DC-SIGN of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) Mediates Immune Functions against Aeromonas hydrophila through Collaboration with the TLR Signaling Pathway.

C-type lectins in organisms play an important role in the process of innate immunity. In this study, a C-type lectin belonging to the DC-SIGN class of Micropterus salmoides was identified. MsDC-SIGN is classified as a type II transmembrane protein. The extracellular segment of MsDC-SIGN possesses a coiled-coil region and a carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). The key amino acid motifs of the extracellular CRD of MsDC-SIGN in Ca2+-binding site 2 were EPN (Glu-Pro-Asn) and WYD (Trp-Tyr-Asp). MsDC-SIGN-CRD can bind to four pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), glucan, peptidoglycan (PGN), and mannan. Moreover, it can also bind to Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi. Its CRD can agglutinate microbes and displays D-mannose and D-galactose binding specificity. MsDC-SIGN was distributed in seven tissues of the largemouth bass, among which the highest expression was observed in the liver, followed by the spleen and intestine. Additionally, MsDC-SIGN was present on the membrane of M. salmoides leukocytes, thereby augmenting the phagocytic activity against bacteria. In a subsequent investigation, the expression patterns of the MsDC-SIGN gene and key genes associated with the TLR signaling pathway (TLR4, NF-κB, and IL10) exhibited an up-regulated expression response to the stimulation of Aeromonas hydrophila. Furthermore, through RNA interference of MsDC-SIGN, the expression level of the DC-SIGN signaling pathway-related gene (RAF1) and key genes associated with the TLR signaling pathway (TLR4, NF-κB, and IL10) was decreased. Therefore, MsDC-SIGN plays a pivotal role in the immune defense against A. hydrophila by modulating the TLR signaling pathway.

Tricetin suppresses the cell migration and BMP-6 expression through p38 signaling pathways in human retinal pigment epithelium cells.

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a visual-threatening disease, which cause from the migration of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Tricetin, a family of flavonoids, can inhibit the metastasis of several cancers. Herein, we aim to evaluate the possible effect of tricetin on inhibiting ARPE-19 cells migration. The Boyden chamber assay, wound healing assay, RNA sequencing, and Western blot analysis were applied in our experiment. The results revealed that tricetin inhibited the cell migration abilities of ARPE-19 cells. Moreover, using RNA sequencing technology, we revealed that tricetin repressed bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6) gene expressions in ARPE-19 cells. Overexpression of BMP-6 resulted in significant restoration of cell migration capabilities of tricetin-treated ARPE-19 cells. Furthermore, tricetin suppressed the phosphorylation of the p38 signaling pathway. Moreover, blocking the p38 pathway also inhibits BMP-6 expression and migration in the ARPE-19 cells. In conclusion, this study revealed that tricetin inhibits the ARPE-19 cell migration mainly via the suppression of BMP-6 expression and p38 signaling pathway.

Correlation Between Low Cytoplasmic Expression of XBP1 and the Likelihood of Surviving Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Our objectives in this study were to (i) evaluate the clinical significance of X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) expression in cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and (ii) assess the potential of XBP1 to be used as a prognostic biomarker. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression of XBP1 protein in 267 HCC tissue specimens was measured using immunohistochemistry in order to characterize the associations among XBP1 expression, clinicopathological factors and survival outcomes. Survival analysis using follow-up data was used to assess the prognostic value of XBP1 in cases of HCC. Immunohistochemistry revealed a significant decrease in cytoplasmic XBP1 protein expression in HCC tumor tissue. RESULTS: Immunoreactivity results showed that low cytoplasmic XBP1 expression was significantly associated with vascular invasion, as well as poor 5-year overall survival and long-term disease-specific (DSS) and disease-free (DFS) survival rates. Kaplan-Meier survival curves further confirmed a significant association between low cytoplasmic XBP1 protein expression and poor DSS and DFS. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that XBP1 expression, tumor differentiation, vascular invasion, tumor stage, and the rate of recurrence were linked to DSS, while low cytoplasmic XBP1 expression remained an independent predictor of poor DSS. Our analysis also revealed that XBP1 expression, tumor differentiation, vascular invasion, and T classification were linked to DFS, while low cytoplasmic XBP1 expression remained an independent predictor of poor DFS. CONCLUSION: Low cytoplasmic XBP1 protein expression may play an important role in the pathogenesis of HCC, which suggests that XBP1 could potentially be targeted to benefit therapeutic strategies for HCC.

Relationship between chemokine/chemokine receptor and glioma prognosis and outcomes: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Glioma is a primary tumor originating from the central nervous system, and despite ongoing efforts to improve treatment, its overall survival rate remains low. There are a limited number of reports regarding the clinical grading, prognostic impact, and utility of chemokines. Therefore, conducting a meta-analysis is necessary to obtain convincing and conclusive results. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using various databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Embase, Ovid Medline, CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP, and CBM. The search encompassed articles published from the inception of the databases until March 2024. The estimated odds ratio (ORs), standard mean difference (SMDs), and hazard ratio (HR) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated to assess the predictive value of chemokine and receptor levels in glioma risk. Additionally, heterogeneity tests and bias tests were performed to evaluate the reliability of the findings. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included a total of 36 studies, involving 2,480 patients diagnosed with glioma. The results revealed a significant association between the expression levels of CXCR4 (n = 8; OR = 22.28; 95 % CI = 11.47-43.30; p = 0.000), CXCL12 (n = 4; OR = 10.69; 95 % CI = 7.03-16.24; p = 0.000), CCL2 (n = 6; SMD = -0.83; 95 % CI = -0.98--0.67; p = 0.000), CXCL8 (n = 3; SMD = 0.75; 95 % CI = 0.47-1.04; p = 0.000), CXCR7 (n = 3; OR = 20.66; 95 % CI = 10.20-41.82; p = 0.000), CXCL10 (n = 2; SMD = 3.27; 95 % CI = 2.91-3.62; p = 0.000) and the risk of glioma. Additionally, a significant correlation was observed between CXCR4 (n = 8; OR = 4.39; 95 % CI = 3.04-6.32; p = 0.000), (n = 6; SMD = 1.37; 95 % CI = 1.09-1.65; p = 0.000), CXCL12 (n = 6; OR = 6.30; 95 % CI = 3.87-10.25; p = 0.000), (n = 5; ES = 2.25; 95 % CI = 1.15-3.34; p = 0.041), CCL2 (n = 3; OR = 9.65; 95 % CI = 4.55-20.45; p = 0.000), (n = 4; SMD = -1.47; 95 % CI = -1.68--1.26; p = 0.000), and CCL18 (n = 3; SMD = 1.62; 95 % CI = 1.30-1.93; p = 0.000) expression levels and high-grade glioma (grades 3-4). Furthermore, CXCR4 (HR = 2.38, 95 % CI = 1.66-3.40; p = 0.000) exhibited a strong correlation with poor overall survival (OS) rates in glioma patients. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed a robust association between elevated levels of CXCR4, CXCL12, CCL2, CXCL8, CXCL10 and CXCR7 with a higher risk of glioma. Furthermore, the WHO grading system was validated by the strong correlation shown between higher expression of CXCR4, CXCL12, CCL2, and CCL18 and WHO high-grade gliomas (grades 3-4). Furthermore, the results of the meta-analysis suggested that CXCR4 might be a helpful biomarker for predicting the worse prognosis of glioma patients.

A Comprehensive Review on Reductive Recycling of Cathode Materials of Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The prosperity of the lithium-ion battery market is inevitably accompanied by the depletion of corresponding resources and the accumulation of spent batteries in a dialectical manner. Spent lithium-ion batteries are harboring the characteristics of hazardous waste and high-value resources, so efficient recycling is of great significance. The cathode material is considered as an interesting target for repurposing. Despite some important reviews give commendable emphasis to recycling technologies, there is still a dearth of exploration of recycling mechanisms. This deficiency of awareness highlights the need for further research and development in this area. This review aims to systematically review and thoroughly discuss the reduction reaction mechanism of each method regarding different cathode materials. And systematically digest the selection of reducing agent and the effect of reduction reaction on material regeneration are systematically digested, as well as the impact of the reduction reaction on the regeneration of materials. This review emphasizes the importance of balancing efficiency, economic and environmental benefits in reuse technologies. Finally, the review proposes an outlook on the opportunities and challenges facing the reuse of key materials for next-generation spent batteries aimed at promoting the green and sustainable development of lithium-ion batteries, circular economy and ecological balance.

Assessment of iodine nutritional status and gestational thyroid function reference ranges during the first trimester of pregnancy in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Iodine nutrition is critical for fetal neurodevelopment in the first trimester of pregnancy, a period associated with dramatic changes in thyroid function. The aim of this study was to evaluate iodine nutritional status and thyroid function reference ranges in the first trimester in Taiwan. METHODS: Pregnant women aged 20 years and above in the first trimester were recruited in Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan from March 2019 to July 2022. Each participant provided a spot urine sample for measurement of urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and a blood sample for checkup of thyroid function and thyroid autoantibodies. A simple food frequency questionnaire was also completed. RESULTS: A total of 209 women with a mean age of 32.9 ± 4.4 years were enrolled. The median UIC was 160.9 µg/L (interquartile range [IQR]: 105.0-246.2 µg/L), indicating overall iodine sufficiency. The gestational thyroid function reference ranges were: thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (median: 0.93 [0.007-2.9] µIU/mL), free T4 (1.3 [0.93-2.2] ng/dL), free T3 (3.0 [2.3-5.0] ng/dL), total T4 (9.9 [6.4-16.9] ng/dL), and total T3 (135 [88-231] ng/dL). If the nonpregnant reference range of serum TSH was used, eight women (4.8%) would be misclassified as having subclinical hyperthyroidism, and two women (1.2%) with subclinical hypothyroidism would be missed. In multivariate analysis, nulliparous (adjusted odds ratio [OR] from model 1-3: 2.02, 2.05, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.08-3.77, 1.10-3.81, 1.11-3.66; p = 0.027, 0.023, 0.022, respectively) and multivitamin nonusers (adjusted OR from model 1-3: 1.86, 1.85, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.04-3.34, 1.03-3.32, 1.004-3.71; p = 0.038, 0.039, 0.049, respectively) had increased odds of having lower UIC levels <150 µg/L. CONCLUSION: The iodine nutritional status in the first trimester is adequate in Taiwan; however, certain subgroups such as nulliparous and multivitamin nonusers are still at risk for iodine deficiency. Gestational thyroid function reference ranges are needed for correct diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy.

Effect of α-tubulin acetylation on the doublet microtubule structure.

Acetylation of α-tubulin at the lysine 40 residue (αK40) by αTAT1/MEC-17 acetyltransferase modulates microtubule properties and occurs in most eukaryotic cells. Previous literatures suggest that acetylated microtubules are more stable and damage resistant. αK40 acetylation is the only known microtubule luminal post-translational modification site. The luminal location suggests that the modification tunes the lateral interaction of protofilaments inside the microtubule. In this study, we examined the effect of tubulin acetylation on the doublet microtubule (DMT) in the cilia of Tetrahymena thermophila using a combination of cryo-electron microscopy, molecular dynamics, and mass spectrometry. We found that αK40 acetylation exerts a small-scale effect on the DMT structure and stability by influencing the lateral rotational angle. In addition, comparative mass spectrometry revealed a link between αK40 acetylation and phosphorylation in cilia.