Clusterin-carrying extracellular vesicles derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells restore the ovarian function of premature ovarian failure mice through activating the PI3K/AKT pathway.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence has highlighted the therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) in chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian failure (POF). This study was designed to investigate the appropriate timing and molecular mechanism of UC-MSCs treatment for chemotherapy-induced POF. METHODS: Ovarian structure and function of mice were assessed every 3 days after injections with cyclophosphamide (CTX) and busulfan (BUS). UC-MSCs and UC-MSCs-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) were infused into mice via the tail vein, respectively. Ovarian function was analyzed by follicle counts, the serum levels of hormones and ovarian morphology. The apoptosis and proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells were analyzed in vitro and in vivo. Label-free quantitative proteomics was used to detect the differentially expressed proteins in UC-MSC-derived EVs. RESULTS: After CTX/BUS injection, we observed that the ovarian function of POF mice was significantly deteriorated on day 9 after CTX/BUS infusion. TUNEL assay indicated that the number of apoptotic cells in the ovaries of POF mice was significantly higher than that in normal mice on day 3 after CTX/BUS injection. Transplantation of UC-MSCs on day 6 after CTX/BUS injection significantly improved ovarian function, enhanced proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells, whereas the therapeutic effect of UC-MSCs transplantation decreased on day 9, or day 12 after CTX/BUS injection. Moreover, EVs derived from UC-MSCs exerted similar therapeutic effects on POF. UC-MSCs-derived EVs could activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and reduce ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis. Quantitative proteomics analysis revealed that clusterin (CLU) was highly expressed in the EVs of UC-MSCs. The supplementation of CLU proteins prevented ovarian granulosa cells from chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Further mechanistic analysis showed that CLU-knockdown blocked the PI3K/AKT signaling and reversed the protective effects of UC-MSCs-derived EVs. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of UC-MSCs and UC-MSCs-derived EVs on day 6 of CTX/BUS injection could effectively improve the ovarian function of POF mice. UC-MSCs-derived EVs carrying CLU promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells through activating the PI3K/AKT pathway. This study identifies a previously unrecognized molecular mechanism of UC-MSCs-mediated protective effects on POF, which pave the way for the use of cell-free therapeutic approach for POF.

Mapping and transcriptomic profiling reveal that the KNAT6 gene is involved in the dark green peel colour of mature pumpkin fruit (Cucurbita maxima L.).

KEY MESSAGE: We identified a 580 bp deletion of CmaKNAT6 coding region influences peel colour of mature Cucurbita maxima fruit. Peel colour is an important agronomic characteristic affecting commodity quality in Cucurbit plants. Genetic mapping of fruit peel colour promotes molecular breeding and provides an important basis for understanding the regulatory mechanism in Cucurbit plants. In the present study, the Cucurbita maxima inbred line '9-6' which has a grey peel colour and 'U3-3-44' which has a dark green peel colour in the mature fruit stage, were used as plant materials. At 5-40 days after pollination (DAP), the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids in the 'U3-3-44' peels were significantly greater than those in the '9-6' peels. In the epicarp of the '9-6' mature fruit, the presence of nonpigmented cell layers and few chloroplasts in each cell in the pigmented layers were observed. Six generations derived by crossing '9-6' and 'U3-3-44' were constructed, and the dark green peel was found to be controlled by a single dominant locus, which was named CmaMg (mature green peel). Through bulked-segregant analysis sequencing (BSA-seq) and insertion-deletion (InDel) markers, CmaMg was mapped to a region of approximately 449.51 kb on chromosome 11 using 177 F2 individuals. Additionally, 1703 F2 plants were used for fine mapping to compress the candidate interval to a region of 32.34 kb. Five coding genes were in this region, and CmaCh11G000900 was identified as a promising candidate gene according to the reported function, sequence alignment, and expression analyses. CmaCh11G000900 (CmaKNAT6) encodes the homeobox protein knotted-1-like 6 and contains 4 conserved domains. CmaKNAT6 of '9-6' had a 580 bp deletion, leading to premature transcriptional termination. The expression of CmaKNAT6 tended to increase sharply during the early fruit development stage but decrease gradually during the late period of fruit development. Allelic diversity analysis of pumpkin germplasm resources indicated that the 580 bp deletion in the of CmaKNAT6 coding region was associated with peel colour. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that CmaKNAT6 is a nuclear protein. Transcriptomic analysis of the inbred lines '9-6' and 'U3-3-44' indicated that genes involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis were more enriched in 'U3-3-44' than in '9-6'. Additionally, the expression of transcription factor genes that positively regulate chlorophyll synthesis and light signal transduction pathways was upregulated in 'U3-3-44'. These results lay a foundation for further studies on the genetic mechanism underlying peel colour and for optimizing peel colour-based breeding strategies for C. maxima.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canadian performing and creative artists: An interpretive descriptive study using the social-ecological model.

BACKGROUND: Public health restrictions during the Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Canada have substantially reduced the work and income of performing and creative artists. We aimed to understand how factors at the public policy, community, organizational, interpersonal and individual levels affected Canadian performing and creative artists' health and livelihood during the pandemic. METHODS: We interviewed 14 creative and performing artists from an academic hospital-based healthcare center in Toronto, Canada. In addition, we conducted secondary data analysis on an existing set of 17 transcribed interviews from a quality improvement study that included relevant information to answer the present study's research question. We applied an interpretive descriptive approach to our qualitative inquiry and used the social-ecological model (SEM) as our analytic framework. RESULTS: We identified factors at all levels of the SEM that tended to synergistically affect the health and livelihood of artists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health restrictions and government financial assistance programs have downstream effects on other levels. During the pandemic, many artists sensed an overwhelming loss of community, financial instability, and limited access to healthcare; which in turn affected their health. For those who accessed financial assistance programs, the stability of income afforded time for rest without the stress of food insecurity or housing instability. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the SEM as an analytic framework reflects the multidirectional intricacy and dynamic interplay among factors operating within and across all five levels, bringing to light potential areas of improvement at various levels to strengthen resilience and reduce risk factors associated with artists' health and healthcare access. Findings also accentuated the fragility of precarious work that inundates the performing arts industry, which emphasizes the need for interventions and policies to address this issue. Such interventions might include financial support programs for artists, access to affordable healthcare services, and efforts to strengthen social support networks within the arts community.

Pilose Antler Protein Relieves UVB-Induced HaCaT Cells and Skin Damage.

Extended exposure to UVB (280-315 nm) radiation results in oxidative damage and inflammation of the skin. Previous research has demonstrated that pilose antler extracts have strong anti-inflammatory properties and possess antioxidant effects. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of pilose antler protein in repairing photodamage caused by UVB radiation in HaCaT cells and ICR mice. Pilose antler protein (PAP) was found to increase the expression of type I collagen and hyaluronic acid in HaCaT cells under UVB irradiation while also inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and oxidative stress in vitro. In vivo, the topical application of pilose antler protein effectively attenuated UVB-induced skin damage in ICR mice by reducing interleukin-1ß (IL-ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and inhibiting skin inflammation while alleviating UVB-induced oxidative stress. It was shown that pilose antler protein repaired UVB-induced photodamage through the MAPK and TGF-ß/Smad pathways.

A convenient research strategy for functional verification of epigenetic regulators during spermatogenesis.

Spermatogenesis is a fundamental process that requires a tightly controlled epigenetic event in spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). The mechanisms underlying the transition from SSCs to sperm are largely unknown. Most studies utilize gene knockout mice to explain the mechanisms. However, the production of genetically engineered mice is costly and time-consuming. In this study, we presented a convenient research strategy using an RNA interference (RNAi) and testicular transplantation approach. Histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methylation was dynamically regulated during spermatogenesis. As Jumonji domain-containing protein 1A (JMJD1A) and Jumonji domain-containing protein 2C (JMJD2C) demethylases catalyze histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2), we firstly analyzed the expression profile of the two demethylases and then investigated their function. Using the convenient research strategy, we showed that normal spermatogenesis is disrupted due to the downregulated expression of both demethylases. These results suggest that this strategy might be a simple and alternative approach for analyzing spermatogenesis relative to the gene knockout mice strategy.

Online ligand screening for cytochrome C from herbal medicines through "four-in-one" measurement.

Affinity-oriented online ligand screening with LC coupled to different detectors is widely popular to capture active compounds from herbal medicines (HMs). However, false-positive extensively occurs because insufficient information is recorded for the existence and stability of ligand-protein complex. Here, efforts were made to advance the hit confidences via configuring post-column infusion-LC-energy-resolved-affinity MS (PCI-LC-ER-AMS) to achieve "four-in-one" monitoring of: 1) response decrement of potential ligands; 2) response decrement of protein; 3) ions from ligand-protein complexes; and 4) ligand-protein binding strength. Ligand fishing for Cyt C from HMs was conducted as a proof-of-concept. For utility justification, a mimic sample containing twelve well-defined ligands and two negative controls underwent LC separation and met Cyt C prior to Qtof-MS measurements. Compared to Cyt C- or ligand-free assay, twelve ligands instead of negative controls showed response decrements that were consistent with twelve negative peaks observed at retention times corresponding to the ligands in Cyt C ion current chromatogram. Serial ions correlating to each ligand-Cyt C complex were observed. After recording breakdown graphs, optimal collision energy (OCE) corresponding to the non-covalent bond dissociation was positively correlated with binding strength. Two HMs including Scutellariae Radix (SR) and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata were investigated. Consequently, 24 compounds were merely fished from SR, and particularly, flavonoid glycosides exhibited greater OCEs and also binding strengths over aglycones. Affinity assays and cellular evaluations consolidated the significant interaction between each captured compound and Cyt C. Overall, PCI-LC-ER-AMS is eligible for confidence-enhanced online ligand screening for Cyt C from HMs through "four-in-one" measurement.

A post-marketing study to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a quadrivalent influenza split-virion vaccine in elderly people aged 60 years and older.

BACKGROUND: Influenza remains a global public health concern. Understanding the vaccination-induced response in an aging population, which is susceptible and at high risk, is essential for disease prevention and control. Here, we report findings on the safety and immunogenicity of a quadrivalent influenza split-virion vaccine (15 µg/subtype/0.5 ml/dose) (hereinafter referred to as the "quadrivalent influenza vaccine") in a population aged ≥ 60 years. METHODS: This open-label, pragmatic post-marketing trial enrolled 1399 older adults to receive one dose of an approved commercially available quadrivalent influenza vaccine manufactured by Hualan Biological Bacterin Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "Hualan Bio"). Participants with contraindications for the vaccine were excluded, while poor health condition was acceptable. All vaccinated subjects experienced adverse events collection within 30 days and serious adverse events within 180 days post-vaccination. 25% subjects, selected randomly, underwent venous blood sampling pre-vaccination and 30 days after post-vaccination, for detecting antibody titers against each subtype of influenza virus by hemagglutination inhibition assay. The incidences of adverse events and antibody titers against each subtype of influenza virus were statistically analyzed using SAS 9.4. RESULTS: No grade 3 adverse reactions occurred within 30 days post-vaccination. The incidences of overall adverse reactions, local adverse reactions and systemic adverse reactions were 3.79%, 2.86% and 1.00%, respectively. No serious adverse reactions occurred within 180 days post-vaccination. There were 350 subjects who completed venous blood sampling pre-vaccination, among whom 348 subjects completed venous blood sampling at 30 days post-vaccination for immunogenicity assessment. With respect to hemagglutination inhibition antibodies against influenza viruses H1N1, H3N2, BV and BY subtypes, at 30 days post-vaccination, the seroconversion rates were 87.64%, 75.57%, 73.28% and 78.74%, respectively; the seropositive rates were 93.97%, 98.56%, 79.31% and 95.40%, respectively; and the geometric mean increase (GMI) in post-immunization/pre-immunization antibodies was 24.80, 7.26, 10.39 and 7.39, respectively. CONCLUSION: One 15 µg/subtype dose of the vaccine had a good safety profile and elicited favorable immunogenicity among subjects aged ≥ 60 years. The results of this study indicate that Hualan Bio quadrivalent influenza vaccine strike balance between safety and immunogenicity, supporting unnecessity to increase dosage or inoculation frequency for further enhancing immunogenicity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT06334510. Registered on 28/03/2024 (retrospectively registered).

Cdon is essential for organ left-right patterning by regulating dorsal forerunner cells clustering and Kupffer's vesicle morphogenesis.

Cdon and boc are members of the cell adhesion molecule subfamily III Ig/fibronectin. Although they have been reported to be involved in muscle and neural development at late developmental stage, their early roles in embryonic development remain unknown. Here, we discovered that in zebrafish, cdon, but not boc, is expressed in dorsal forerunner cells (DFCs) and the epithelium of Kupffer's vesicle (KV), suggesting a potential role for cdon in organ left-right (LR) patterning. Further data showed that liver and heart LR patterning were disrupted in cdon morphants and cdon mutants. Mechanistically, we found that loss of cdon function led to defect in DFCs clustering, reduced KV lumen, and defective cilia, resulting in randomized Nodal/spaw signaling and subsequent organ LR patterning defects. Additionally, predominant distribution of a cdon morpholino (MO) in DFCs caused defects in DFC clustering, KV morphogenesis, cilia number/length, Nodal/spaw signaling, and organ LR asymmetry, similar to those observed in cdon morphants and cdon -/- embryos, indicating a cell-autonomous role for cdon in regulating KV formation during LR patterning. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that during gastrulation and early somitogenesis, cdon is essential for proper DFC clustering, KV formation, and normal cilia, thereby playing a critical role in establishing organ LR asymmetry.

Nutritional Quality of Basal Resource in Stream Food Webs Increased with Light Reduction-Implications for Riparian Revegetation.

Biofilms are considered a basal resource with high nutritional quality in stream food webs, as periphytic algae are abundant of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). PUFAs are essential for growth and reproduction of consumers who cannot or have very limited capacity to biosynthesize. Yet, how the nutritional quality based on PUFA of basal food sources changes with light intensity remains unclear. We conducted a manipulative experiment in mesocosms to explore the response and mechanisms of nutritional quality to shading, simulating riparian restoration. We found a significant increase in PUFA% (including arachidonic acid, ARA) under shading conditions. The increased PUFA is caused by the algal community succession from Cyanobacteria and Chlorophyta to Bacillariophyta which is abundant of PUFA (especially eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA; docosahexaenoic acid, DHA). On the other hand, shading increased PUFA via upregulating enzymes such as Δ12 desaturase (FAD2, EC:1.14.19.6) and 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS, EC:2.3.1.199) in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid elongation pathways. Our findings imply that riparian reforestation by decreasing light intensity increases the nutritional quality of basal resources in streams, which may enhance transfer of good quality carbon to consumers in higher trophic levels through bottom-up effects.

Dual-purposing disulfiram for enhanced chemotherapy and afterglow imaging using chlorin e6 and semiconducting polymer combined strategy.

Rationale: One of the main challenges in chemotherapy is achieving high treatment efficacy while minimizing adverse events. Fully exploiting the therapeutic potential of an old drug and monitoring its effects in vivo is highly valuable, but often difficult to achieve. Methods: In this study, by encapsulating disulfiram (DSF) approved by US Food and Drug Administration, semiconducting polymer nanocomplex (MEHPPV), and Chlorin e6 into a polymeric matrix F127 via nanoprecipitation method, a nanosystem (FCMC) was developed for afterglow imaging guided cancer treatment. The characteristics, stability as well as the ability of singlet oxygen (1O2) production of FCMC were first carefully examined. Then, we studied the mechanism for enhanced anti-cancer efficiency and afterglow luminescence in vitro. For experiments in vivo, 4T1 subcutaneous xenograft tumor mice were injected with FCMC via the tail vein every three days and the antitumor effect of FCMC was evaluated by monitoring tumor volume and body weight every three day. Results: The nanosystem, which combines DSF with Ce6, can generates abundant 1O2 that enhances the antitumor activity of DSF. The in vivo results show that FCMC-treated group exhibits an obviously higher tumor-growth inhibition rate of 67.89% after 15 days of treatment, compared to the control group of F127@MEHPPV-CuET. Moreover, Ce6 also greatly enhances the afterglow luminescence intensity of MEHPPV and promotes the redshift of the afterglow emission towards the ideal near-infrared imaging window, thereby enabling efficient afterglow tumor imaging in vivo. Conclusions: This multifunctional nanoplatform not only improves the anticancer efficacy of DSF, but also enables monitoring tumor via robust afterglow imaging, thus exhibiting great potential for cancer therapy and early therapeutic outcome prediction.

The correlation between daily temperature, diurnal temperature range, and asthma hospital admissions in Lanzhou city, 2013-2020.

BACKGROUND: With the backdrop of global climate change, the impact of climate change on respiratory diseases like asthma is receiving increasing attention. However, the effects of temperature and diurnal temperature range (DTR) on asthma are complex, and understanding these effects across different seasons, age groups, and sex is of utmost importance. METHODS: This study utilized asthma hospitalization data from Lanzhou, China, and implemented a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) to investigate the relationship between temperature and DTR and asthma hospitalizations. It considered differences in the effects across various seasons and population subgroups. RESULTS: The study revealed that low temperatures immediately increase the risk of asthma hospitalization (RR = 1.2010, 95% CI: 1.1464, 1.2580), and this risk persists for a period of time. Meanwhile, both high and low DTR were associated with an increased risk of asthma hospitalization. Lower temperatures (RR = 2.9798, 95% CI: 1.1154, 7.9606) were associated with higher asthma risk in the warm season, while in the cold season, the risk significantly rose for the general population (RR = 3.6867, 95% CI: 1.7494, 7.7696), females (RR = 7.2417, 95% CI: 2.7171, 19.3003), and older individuals (RR = 18.5425, 95% CI: 5.1436, 66.8458). In the warm season, low DTR conditions exhibited a significant association with asthma hospitalization risk in males (RR = 7.2547, 95% CI: 1.2612, 41.7295) and adults aged 15-64 (RR = 9.9494, 95% CI: 2.2723, 43.5643). Children also exhibited noticeable risk within specific DTR ranges. In the cold season, lower DTR increases the risk of asthma hospitalization for the general population (RR = 3.1257, 95% CI: 1.4004, 6.9767). High DTR significantly increases the risk of asthma hospitalization in adults (RR = 5.2563, 95% CI: 2.4131, 11.4498). CONCLUSION: This study provides crucial insights into the complex relationship between temperature, DTR, and asthma hospitalization, highlighting the variations in asthma risk across different seasons and population subgroups.

Fostering resilience and post-traumatic growth in overseas Chinese left-behind children: The role of autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the impact of parental migration on the psychological well-being and development of left-behind children (LBCs) in Zhejiang, China, within the broader context of the country's rural transformations and urban migration. It investigates how intellectual and relational engagement (RE), autonomy (AUT), competence (COM), and relatedness (RES) contribute to resilience (REL) and post-traumatic growth (PTG) in these children, reflecting on the shift from viewing parental separation merely as a source of trauma to recognizing its potential to foster significant personal growth. METHODS: Utilizing a cross-sectional design, the research was conducted in April and May 2023 with 1348 LBCs from a total sample of 4049 students inZhejiang. A two-step random, stratified, cluster-based sampling strategy was employed, and structural equation modeling was used to examine the hypothesized relationships among the constructs. RESULTS: The statistical analysis demonstrated significant positive effects of intellectual engagement (IE), AUT, COM, and RE on both REL and PTG (p < .05 for all). IE strongly correlated with AUT (r = .68, p < .001) and COM (r = .71, p < .001), enhancing REL and facilitating PTG. Additionally, the presence of secure and consistent relationships was identified as crucial for maintaining psychological well-being, with high correlation coefficients (r > .60) underscoring their importance. Notably, REL was found to moderate the relationships among RES, COM, and PTG, highlighting its critical role in the psychological adaptation of left-behind children. CONCLUSION: The study underscores the importance of nurturing intellectual and REs, AUT, and COM to enhance psychological REL and well-being among LBAs. These elements are crucial for supporting the mental health and developmental needs of children facing the challenges of parental migration. The findings advocate for targeted interventions that can address the unique needs of this vulnerable population, emphasizing the potential for growth and adaptation despite adversities.

OligoM-Cancer: A multidimensional information platform for deep phenotyping of heterogenous oligometastatic cancer.

Patients with oligometastatic cancer (OMC) exhibit better response to local therapeutic interventions and a more treatable tendency than those with polymetastatic cancers. However, studies on OMC are limited and lack effective integration for systematic comparison and personalized application, and the diagnosis and precise treatment of OMC remain controversial. The application of large language models in medicine remains challenging because of the requirement of high-quality medical data. Moreover, these models must be enhanced using precise domain-specific knowledge. Therefore, we developed the OligoM-Cancer platform (http://oligo.sysbio.org.cn), pioneering knowledge curation that depicts various aspects of oligometastases spectrum, including markers, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy choices. A user-friendly website was developed using HTML, FLASK, MySQL, Bootstrap, Echarts, and JavaScript. This platform encompasses comprehensive knowledge and evidence of phenotypes and their associated factors. With 4059 items of literature retrieved, OligoM-Cancer includes 1345 valid publications and 393 OMC-associated factors. Additionally, the included clinical assistance tools enhance the interpretability and credibility of clinical translational practice. OligoM-Cancer facilitates knowledge-guided modeling for deep phenotyping of OMC and potentially assists large language models in supporting specialised oligometastasis applications, thereby enhancing their generalization and reliability.

Fabrication of sulfur-based functionalized activated carbon as solid phase extraction adsorbent for selective analysis of selenite in water.

Based on the important feature of sulfur with excellent selectivity toward selenite in the presence of selenate, a simple and low-cost adsorbent of solid phase extraction known as sulfur loading activated carbon (SAC-6) was successfully prepared and applied for selenite (Se(IV)) analysis in water. Microstructure and morphological characteristics of SAC-6 had been identified by XRD, TEM, BET and FT-IR. In the static adsorption experiments, Se(IV) could be separated in a wide range of pH values (pH=3-11). The retention process of Se(IV) onto SAC-6 was characterized as spontaneous exothermic reaction. An obvious change of adsorption mechanism occurred in static and dynamic adsorption processes shown that the behaviors followed monolayer and hybrid adsorption. The theoretical maximum adsorption capacity of SAC-6 calculated by Langmuir-Freundlich was 13.48 mg/g. The microcolumn filled with SAC-6 was applied to extract Se(IV) in water solution. The detection limit of Se(IV) analytical procedure was confirmed as 0.27 µg/L within a linear range of 10-1000 µg/L. A good precision with relative standard deviation of 1.34 % (100 µg/L, n = 6) was achieved. The high adaptability and accuracy of SAC-6 microcolumn was validated by analyzing natural water samples and certified reference materials. Our work successfully excavated the application value of the sulfur selectivity, and also provided a new adsorbent for Se(IV) extraction and analysis.

Effects of fluid therapy combined with a preoperative glucose load regimen on postoperative recovery in patients with rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Patients with rectal cancer undergoing radical resection often have poor postoperative recovery due to preoperative fasting and water deprivation and the removal of diseased tissue, and have a high risk of complications. Therefore, it is of great significance to apply appropriate rehydration regimens to patients undergoing radical resection of rectal cancer during the perioperative period to improve the postoperative outcomes of patients. AIM: To analyze the effects of goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) with a preoperative glucose load regimen on postoperative recovery and complications in patients undergoing radical resection for rectal cancer. METHODS: Patients with rectal cancer who underwent radical resection (n = 184) between January 2021 and December 2023 at our hospital were randomly divided into either a control group or an observation group (n = 92 in each group). Both groups received a preoperative glucose load regimen, and routine fluid replacement and GDFT were additionally implements in the control and observation groups, respectively. The operative conditions, blood levels of lactic acid and inflammatory markers, postoperative recovery, cognitive status, hemodynamic indicators, brain oxygen metabolism, and complication rates were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The colloidal fluid dosage, total infusion, and urine volume, as well as time to first exhaust, time to food intake, and postoperative length of hospital stay, were lower in the observation group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of operation time, bleeding volume, crystalloid liquid consumption, time to tracheal extubation, complication rate, heart rate, or mean arterial pressure (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, in the observation group the lactic acid level was lower immediately after the surgery (P < 0.05); the Mini-Mental State Examination score was higher on postoperative day 3 (P < 0.05); the pulse pressure variability (PPV) was lower at 30 min after pneumoperitoneum (P < 0.05), though the differences in the PPV of the two groups was not significant at the remaining time points (P > 0.05); tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 levels were lower on postoperative day 3 (P < 0.05); and the left and right regional cerebral oxygen saturation was higher immediately after the surgery and 30 min after pneumoperitoneum (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: GDFT combined with the preoperative glucose load regimen is a safe and effective treatment strategy for improving postoperative recovery and risk of complications in patients with rectal cancer undergoing radical resection.

Effects of social media use on employment anxiety among Chinese youth: the roles of upward social comparison, online social support and self-esteem.

Based on the continuous development of new media and mobile communication technologies, social media has significantly influenced people's daily thoughts and behaviors. For young people, social media is a platform for social interaction, and studies have found that social media helps Chinese graduates find employment. This study examined how social media use and its related factors affect employment anxiety. The data was collected from 1,204 Chinese youth through an online survey. The results showed that: (1) the intensity of social media use had a positive predictive effect on employment anxiety; (2) upward social comparison and online social support individually separately mediate the positive relationship between the intensity of social media use and employment anxiety; and (3) self-esteem negatively moderates the effect of upward social comparison and effect of online social support on employment anxiety. The study underscores the importance of reasonable social media usage strategies, positive social perception, and healthy self-perception for fostering a positive employment mindset among youth.

Application of 3D reconstruction and 3D printing technology in advanced ovarian cancer surgery: a retrospective study.

Backgrounds: Advanced ovarian cancer is frequently accompanied by extensive peritoneal metastasis, complicating surgical interventions. This study aims to explore the application of 3D reconstruction and 3D printing technology in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 60 patients with stage III ovarian cancer who underwent cytoreductive surgery at Hebei University Affiliated Hospital between 2020 and 2023. Patients were randomly assigned to three groups: a 3D visualization group, a 3D visualization plus 3D printing group, and a traditional 2D CT imaging evaluation group. High-precision medical imaging techniques (e.g., CT, MRI) were employed to create digital 3D models, which were then converted into physical entities using 3D printing for surgical planning and simulation. Results: Both the 3D visualization group and the 3D visualization plus 3D printing group demonstrated superior outcomes in terms of surgery duration and blood loss compared to the traditional 2D CT group, indicating the efficacy of 3D reconstruction and 3D printing in preoperative planning. Postoperative recovery indicators, such as hospital stay and time to first flatus, were also more favorable in the groups utilizing 3D technology. Although there were no significant differences in postoperative complications and recurrence rates among the three groups, the groups using 3D technology showed advantages in reducing certain complications. Conclusions: The results indicate that medical 3D technology has significant value in the surgical planning of advanced ovarian cancer, enhancing surgical precision and reducing intraoperative risks, which may aid in improving postoperative recovery.

Shock wave generated by composite energetic material driven by electrical non-penetrating wire explosion plasma.

Underwater shock wave technology can realize dynamic rock fracture, which is helpful to increase oil and gas reservoir permeability. It can realize the efficient exploitation of medium and low maturity oil and gas resources. In practical application, the shock wave parameters require not only high intensity but also safety and controllability. To meet these requirements, insensitive composite energetic materials driven by electrical wire explosion plasma were proposed, which is one of the most promising methods. However, when in use, the load assembly process containing wires and energetic materials is complex. In this paper, a new type of energetic material load is proposed, using non-penetrating wire to drive composite energetic material. It can simplify the production process of the energetic load and produce acceptable shock wave parameters. The test results show that both the energy deposition of the wire and the shock wave intensity decrease under a non-penetrating wire structure. However, the shock wave intensity is still higher than that of the underwater electrical wire explosion. Based on schlieren diagnosis, it is found that the composite energetic material is gradually driven, and the energy release is not concentrated. In addition, the "non-wire" structure driving condition was discussed in contrast. Under this condition, the process of ionization channel establishment in composite energetic materials is random. The shock wave intensity is weak because the composite energetic material is in the process of slow detonation.

Increased peripheral leukocyte aggravates brain injury and leads to poor outcome in stroke patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis: A study based on clinical evidence.

Whether the dynamic development of peripheral inflammation aggravates brain injury and leads to poor outcome in stroke patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), remains unclear and warrants further study. In this study, total of 1034 patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent IVT were enrolled. Serum leukocyte variation (whether increase from baseline to 24 h after IVT), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), infarct volume, early neurologic deterioration (END), the unfavorable outcome at 3-month (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score ≥3) and mortality were recorded. Serum brain injury biomarkers, including Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ubiquitin c-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), S100ß, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), were measured to reflect the extent of brain injury. We found that patients with increased serum leukocytes had elevated brain injury biomarkers (GFAP, UCH-L1, and S100ß), larger infarct volume, higher 24 h NIHSS, higher proportion of END, unfavorable outcome and mortality. Furthermore, an increase in serum leukocytes was independently associated with infarct volume, 24 h NIHSS, END, and unfavorable outcome at 3 months, and serum UCH-L1, S100ß, and NSE levels. These results suggest that an increase in serum leukocytes indicates severe brain injury and may be used to predict the outcome of patients with ischemic stroke who undergo IVT.

Within-session chasing of losses and wins in an online eCasino.

Chasing refers to the escalation of betting behaviour. It is conventionally seen when losing but can also be seen after wins. Diagnostic and screening items for gambling problems describe chasing as returning 'another day' to gamble. However, gamblers may also chase within sessions, and this is particularly relevant in online gambling. This study focused on two expressions of within-session chasing: (1) increasing the bet amount, or (2) a reduced probability of quitting the session, as a function of prior losses or wins. These expressions were examined across five online gambling products: slot machines, probability games, blackjack, video poker, and roulette. Our results showed that gamblers bet more and played longer sessions after immediate losses, but they bet less and played shorter sessions when losing cumulatively. The reversed pattern in the cumulative model may be due to financial constraints. For wins, gamblers bet more after both immediate and cumulative wins, but they also played shorter sessions. Chasing patterns were qualitatively similar by game type-with limited evidence for our hypothesis that chasing would be greatest for slot machines as an established high-risk category. Overall, chasing is multi-faceted, varying across the behavioural expressions, by the immediate or cumulative timeframe of prior outcomes, and by game type.