Investigating the potential causal association between consumption of green tea and risk of lung cancer: a study utilizing Mendelian randomization.

Background: Lung cancer is the most common global cancer in terms of incidence and mortality. Its main driver is tobacco smoking. The identification of modifiable risk factors isa public health priority. Green tea consumption has been examined in epidemiological studies, with inconsistent findings. Thus, we aimed to apply Mendelian randomization to clarify any causal link between green tea consumption and the risk of lung cancer. Methods: We utilized a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Genetic variants served as instrumental variables. The goal was to explore a causal link between green tea consumption and different lung cancer types. Green tea consumption data was sourced from the UK Biobank dataset, and the genetic association data for various types of lung cancer were sourced from multiple databases. Our analysis included primary inverse-variance weighted (IVW) analyses and various sensitivity test. Results: No significant associations were found between green tea intake and any lung cancer subtypes, including non-small cell lung cancer (adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) and small cell lung cancer. These findings were consistent when applying multiple Mendelian randomization methods. Conclusion: Green tea does not appear to offer protective benefits against lung cancer at a population level. However, lung cancer's complex etiology and green tea's potential health benefitssuggest more research is needed. Further studies should include diverse populations, improved exposure measurements and randomized controlled trials, are warranted.

Preservation vs. dissection of inferior pulmonary ligament for thoracoscopic upper lobectomy: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The proper procedure for inferior pulmonary ligament (IPL) during upper lobectomy remains a topic of debate. To address this matter, we carried out a trial comparing the clinical outcomes of IPL preservation versus IPL dissection during thoracoscopic upper lobectomy (TUL). METHODS: Patients undergoing thoracoscopic left/right upper lobectomy (TLUL/TRUL) were assigned to either the dissection group (Group D) or the preservation group (Group P). Our primary objective was to quantify and compare the alterations in postoperative residual bronchial angle and lung volume changes between the two groups. Our secondary objective encompassed the assessment of various other intraoperative and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: Following adherence to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we enrolled 100 patients (41 left and 59 right) in Group P and 108 patients (41 left and 67 right) in Group D for the study. Our findings revealed that in TLUL, Group P was able to reduce the degree of postoperative residual bronchial angle change (P < 0.05). Conversely, the situation was distinct for TRUL. We found no notable disparity between the two groups (P > 0.05) with regard to alterations in lung volume or the occurrence of postoperative complications-except for the duration of postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests IPL preservation especially for TLUL when compared to TRUL, which have important implications for the clinical management of patients undergoing upper lobectomy.

In vitro degradation kinetics of pure PLA and Mg/PLA composite: Effects of immersion temperature and compression stress.

The effects of the immersion temperature and compression stress on the in vitro degradation behavior of pure poly-lactic acid (pure-PLA) and PLA-based composite unidirectionally reinforced with micro-arc oxidized magnesium alloy wires (Mg/PLA or MAO-MAWs/PLA) are investigated. The degradation kinetics of pure-PLA and the PLA matrix in MAO-MAWs/PLA exhibit an Arrhenius-type behavior. For the composite, the synergic degradation of MAO-MAWs maintains a steady pH and mitigates the degradation of PLA matrix during immersion. However, the external compression stress decreases the activation energy (Ea) and pre-exponential factor (k0) consequently increasing the degradation rate of PLA. Under a compression stress of 1MPa, Ea and k0 of pure PLA are 57.54kJ/mol and 9.74×107day-1, respectively, but 65.5kJ/mol and 9.81×108day-1 for the PLA matrix in the composite. Accelerated tests are conducted in rising immersion temperature in order to shorten the experimental time. Our analysis indicates there are well-defined relationships between the bending strength of the specimens and the PLA molecular weight during immersion, which are independent of the degradation temperature and external compression stress. Finally, a numerical model is established to elucidate the relationship of bending strength, the PLA molecular weight, activation energy, immersion time and temperature. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: We systematically evaluate the effects of compression stress and temperature on the degradation properties of two materials: (pure-PLA) and MAO-MAWs/PLA (or Mg/PLA). The initial in vitro degradation kinetics of the unstressed or stressed pure-PLA and MAO-MAWs/PLA composite is confirmed to be Arrhenius-like. MAO-MAWs and external compression stress would influence the degradation activation energy (Ea) and pre-exponential factor (k0) of PLA, and we noticed there is a linear relationship between Ea and ln k0. Thereafter, we noticed that Mg2+, not H+, plays a significant role on the mitigation of the PLA degradation and external compression stress brings the molecular structure change of PLA. Finally, we proposed a model to predict the bending strength of the specimens versus immersion time at different immersion temperatures. This fundamental study could provide some scientific basis in our understanding for the evaluations and biomedical applications of these biodegradable materials.

Porous bioceramics reinforced by coating gelatin.

Porous bioceramics with high porosity for bone tissue engineering were fabricated by the foam impregnation technique, but their mechanical strength was poor, only a mean compressive strength of 1.04+/-0.15 MPa and an mean elastic modulus of 0.1 GPa. In order to reinforce porous ceramics, the ceramic samples were immersed in 5% gelatin solution and gelatin coatings were formed on the inter-surface of their pores. It was found that the mean compressive strength value and the mean elastic modulus value of porous samples coated with gelatin were improved to 5.17+/-0.17 MPa and 0.3 GPa respectively without sacrificing their porosity greatly. Moreover composite samples were not as fragile as sintered ceramics. The results indicated that the gelatin coatings on the inter-surface of pores reinforced porous bioceramics effectively.

[Study on hydroxyapatite porous scaffold bonded by phosphates and its biocompatibility].

The porous scaffolds for bone tissue engineering were prepared by foam impregnation. The magnesium and aluminum acid phosphates were used as bonder and the hydroxyapatite ((Ca10 (PO4)6(OH)2, HA) powder as raw materials. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination indicated that the 3D interconnected porous structure of the organic foam was replicated well by the scaffolds calcined at high temperature and the structural requirement of tissue engineering was satisfied. XRD analysis showed that the scaffold was composed of HA and Ca7Mg2P6O24 while calcined at 1150 degrees C for shorter time and of (Ca, Mg)3(PO4)2 when the time prolonged to 2 h. There was no peak of CaO found in the scaffolds by XRD. According to the culture in vitro, the scaffold possesses good biocompatibility and certain degree of degradability.

[Relationship between the vertical loop structure and the mechanical properties.].

PURPOSE: The relationship between vertical loop structure and its mechanical properties was investigated in order to provide reference data for more proper use of vertical loop. METHODS: According to the acting manner in use, finite elements model of vertical loop was established and the finite elements software ANSYS was used to simulate the mechanical characteristics of the loops. The simulated data were summarized at the end. RESULTS: The force and moment decreased with the increase of arm length, height and arc radius of the loop. The ratios of force to moment (M/F) decreased with the increase of arm length, but increased with the increase of height and arm radius. When the interval between the vertical arms enlarged, the force and moment rose and the M/F did not vary significantly. CONCLUSION: To satisfy the requirement of individual patient, the structure of loop can be adjusted properly to output mediate force, moment and M/F value.

[Stress analysis of separators with different specifications].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the shape and structure of different separators affecting the mechanical behavior. METHODS: The stress of different separators was analyzed by ANSYS software. Various separators were meshed into one-dimensional solid elements and the material character parameters were inputted. The loads were added gradually. RESULTS: The stress was related to the arm of force and the point of force application. CONCLUSIONS: The force applied can be controlled by selecting different separators.