A gelatin-based ionogel with anti-swelling properties for underwater human physiological signal detection.

A hydrogel is an ideal matrix material for flexible electronic devices, electronic skin and health detection devices due to its outstanding flexibility and stretchability. However, hydrogel-based flexible electronic devices swell once they are placed in a high humidity or underwater environment. The swelling behavior could damage the internal structure of hydrogels, ultimately leading to the reduction or complete loss of mechanical properties, electrical conductivity and sensing function. In order to resolve the above problems, a double network ionogel with remarkable anti-swelling behavior, stretchability and conductive properties was prepared. The ionogel consisted of gelatin (G) and copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), butyl acrylate (BA), dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate maleate (D) and N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBAA). Due to the dense crosslinking network and hydrophobic interaction, the ionogel exhibited remarkable anti-swelling properties (7.64% of the 30-day equilibrium swelling ratio in deionized water). D and MBAA were simultaneously introduced into the ionogel system as cross-linking agents to provide a large number of cross-linking points, improving the cross-linking density of the ionogel. Importantly, the introduction of D avoided ionic leakage by free radical copolymerization. Furthermore, the ionogel maintained stable mechanical properties and conductivity after being submerged in deionized water owing to remarkable anti-swelling performance. The mechanical properties of the ionogel retained 89.75% of the initial mechanical properties after a 5-day immersion in deionized water. Therefore, this ionogel could be employed as an underwater flexible wearable sensor for high humidity or underwater motion monitoring.

Clinical analysis of the efficacy of radiation therapy for primary high-grade gliomas guided by biological rhythms.

OBJECTIVE: High-grade glioma (HGG) patients frequently encounter treatment resistance and relapse, despite numerous interventions seeking enhanced survival outcomes yielding limited success. Consequently, this study, rooted in our prior research, aimed to ascertain whether leveraging circadian rhythm phase attributes could optimize radiotherapy results. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, we meticulously selected 121 HGG cases with synchronized rhythms through Cosinor analysis. Post-surgery, all subjects underwent standard radiotherapy alongside Temozolomide chemotherapy. Random allocation ensued, dividing patients into morning (N = 69) and afternoon (N = 52) radiotherapy cohorts, enabling a comparison of survival and toxicity disparities. RESULTS: The afternoon radiotherapy group exhibited improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) relative to the morning cohort. Notably, median OS extended to 25.6 months versus 18.5 months, with P = 0.014, with median PFS at 20.6 months versus 13.3 months, with P = 0.022, post-standardized radiotherapy. Additionally, lymphocyte expression levels in the afternoon radiation group 32.90(26.10, 39.10) significantly exceeded those in the morning group 31.30(26.50, 39.20), with P = 0.032. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the markedly prolonged average survival within the afternoon radiotherapy group. Moreover, lymphocyte proportion demonstrated a notable elevation in the afternoon group. Timely and strategic adjustments of therapeutic interventions show the potential to improve therapeutic efficacy, while maintaining vigilant systemic immune surveillance. A comprehensive grasp of physiological rhythms governing both the human body and tumor microenvironment can refine treatment efficacy, concurrently curtailing immune-related damage-a crucial facet of precision medicine.

Combined simultaneous transsphenoidal and transcranial regimen improves surgical outcomes in complex giant pituitary adenomas: A longitudinal retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of complex giant pituitary adenomas (GPAs) presents significant challenges. The efficacy and safety of combining transsphenoidal and transcranial approaches for these tumors remain controversial. In this largest cohort of patients with complex GPAs, we compared the surgical outcomes between those undergoing a combined regimen and a non-combined regimen. We also examined the differences in risks of complications, costs, and logistics between the two groups, which might offer valuable information for the appropriate management of these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study conducted at 13 neurosurgical centers. Consecutive patients who received a combined or non-combined regimen for complex GPAs were enrolled. The primary outcome was gross total resection, while secondary outcomes included complications, surgical duration, and relapse. A propensity score-based weighting method was used to account for differences between the groups. RESULTS: Out of 647 patients (298 [46.1%] women, mean age: 48.5 ± 14.0 years) with complex GPAs, 91 were in the combined group and 556 were in the non-combined group. Compared with the non-combined regimen, the combined regimen was associated with a higher probability of gross total resection (50.5% vs. 40.6%, odds ratio [OR]: 2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.30-3.63, P = 0.003). The proportion of patients with life-threatening complications was lower in the combined group than in the non-combined group (4.4% vs. 11.2%, OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.08-0.78, P = 0.017). No marked differences were found between the groups in terms of other surgical or endocrine-related complications. However, the combined regimen exhibited a longer average surgery duration of 1.3 h (P < 0.001) and higher surgical costs of 22,000 CNY (approximate 3,000 USD, P = 0.022) compared with the non-combined approach. CONCLUSIONS: The combined regimen offered increased rates of total resection and decreased incidence of life-threatening complications, which might be recommended as the first-line choice for these patients.

Choline Kinase Alpha Promoted Glioma Development by Activating PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway.

Objective: The most commonly reported primary brain tumor in adults is glioma. Choline kinase alpha (CHKA) has been proved to play important roles in glioma. However, the mechanism of CHKA involved remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to explore the mechanism of CHKA in glioma development. Methods: Immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, and Western blot were used to detect the expression of CHKA. Flow cytometry, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), transwell, and wound healing assays were performed to evaluate cell apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, and migration, respectively. RNA sequencing was used to explore the differentially expressed genes affected by CHKA. The enrichment analysis of gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) helped to detect the signaling pathways CHKA affected. Tumor-bearing mice were established and evaluated by TUNEL assay, Ki-67 immunohistochemistry. and hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: CHKA increased in glioma tissues and promoted cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, while inhibiting the glioma cell apoptosis. It was also showed that CHKA promoted glioma development in vivo. GO and KEGG analysis indicated that PI3K/AKT was significantly enriched in CHKA knockdown U251 cells. And CHKA promoted glioma development by activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Conclusions: The authors demonstrated that CHKA was significantly elevated in glioma tissues. Mechanism analysis indicated that CHKA could promote glioma development by activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, suggesting that CHKA is promising to be a biomarker and therapeutic strategy for prognostic prediction of patients with glioma.

Polydatin inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory response in BV2 microglia by disrupting the formation of lipid rafts.

OBJECTIVE: Polydatin has been used in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. However, its role in the regulation of neuroinflammation has not been reported. In this study, we designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of polydatin in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia cells. METHODS: Inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-1ß, NO, and PGE2 production were measured by ELISA. The protein of signaling pathways were detected by western blot analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that polydatin significantly ameliorated the production of TNF-α, IL-1ß, NO, and PGE2 up-regulated by LPS. Polydatin also blocked LPS-induced NF-κB activation. In addition, PI3K and AKT, the up-stream molecules of NF-κB signaling pathway, were inhibited by the treatment of polydatin. Also, we found the formation of lipid rafts was inhibited by polydatin through attenuating the cholesterol content. Finally, polydatin was found to increase the expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that polydatin exhibited its anti-inflammatory effects in BV2 cells through disrupting lipid rafts, which subsequently inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Combined application of MRS and DWI can effectively predict cell proliferation and assess the grade of glioma: A prospective study.

In order to assess combined application of MRS and DWI for prediction cell proliferation and grade diagnosis of glioma, We prospectively collected the Cho/Cr, Cho/NAA, Cr/NAA of MRS and tumor parenchyma ADC (ADCT), contralateral mirror brain tissue ADC (ADCH), rADC (rADC = ADCT/ADCH). According to postoperative pathology, the patients were divided into two groups: LGG group and HGG group, compared differences of age, gender, Ki67, MRS, DWI between two groups. Next, we analyzed the correlation between MRS, DWI and Ki67. On this basis, the sensitivity and specificity of MRS, DWI and MRS combined with DWI (MRS + DWI) in diagnosis of glioma grade were evaluated. The differences of Ki67, Cho/Cr, Cho/NAA, Cr/NAA, ADCT, rADC between LGG group and HGG group were statistically significant (p = 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.008, 0.000, and 0.000 respectively). From ROC curve, area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity of Cho/Cr, Cho/NAA, Cr/NAA, ADCT, rADC, PRE (MRS + DWI) were (0.901, 86.7%, 85.7%), (0.876, 80.0%, 82.1%), (0.704, 63.3%, 71.4%), (0.862, 82.1%, 83.3%), (0.820, 75.0%, 76.7%), (0.920, 86.7%, 89.3%), respectively. Fisher's linear discriminant functions results suggest: Y1 = -20.447 + 3.46•X1 + 17.141•X2 (LGG), Y2 = -19.415 + 4.828•X1 + 14.543•X2 (HGG). Our study suggested that MRS and DWI can effectively predict cell proliferation preoperative. MRS combined with DWI can further improve sensitivity and specificity in assessing the grade of glioma.

[Knockdown of choline kinase α (CHKA) inhibits the proliferation, invasion and migration of human U87MG glioma cells].

Objective To detect the expression of choline kinase α (CHKA) in glioma and to further explore the effect of CHKA knockdown on the proliferation, invasion and migration of U87MG human glioma cells. Methods The mRNA expression of CHKA in high-grade gliomas and traumatic brain tissues was detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The expression of CHKA protein in high-grade gliomas and traumatic brain tissues was detected by Western blot analysis. The short hairpin RNA of CHKA (shCHKA) lentivirus and its control lentivirus (shNC) were constructed and used to infect U87MG glioma cells, which were then divided into the following three groups: shCHKA group, shNC group and blank control group. The proliferation of U87MG cells was examined by CCK-8 assay, the invasion ability of glioma cells was tested by TranswellTM invasion assay, and the migration ability of glioma cells was evaluated by scratch healing test. Results The CHKA mRNA and protein were highly expressed in glioma. Knockdown of CHKA gene inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration of U87MG glioma cells. Conclusion The expression of CHKA in glioma tissue is significantly higher than that in the normal brain tissue, and knockdown of CHKA gene inhibits the proliferation, invasion and migration of glioma cells. It suggests that CHKA may be related to the occurrence and development of gliomas.

Preoperative functional MRI localization of language areas in Chinese patients with brain tumors: Validation with intraoperative electrocortical mapping.

Ten Chinese patients with brain tumors involving language regions were selected. Preoperative functional MRI was performed to locate Broca's or Wernicke's area, and the cortex that was essential for language function was determined by electrocortical mapping. A site-by-site comparison between functional MRI and electrocortical mapping was performed with the aid of a neuronavigation device. Results showed that the sensitivity and specificity of preoperative functional MRI were 80.0% and 85.0% in Broca's area and 66.6% and 85.2% in Wernicke's area, respectively. These experimental findings indicate that functional MRI is an accurate, reliable technique with which to identify the location of Wernicke's area or Broca's area in patients with brain tumors.

[Ecological effect of No.0 diesel water accommodated fraction on marine algae].

With batch culture experiments in field and laboratory, the ecological effect of No. 0 diesel water accommodated fraction on marine algae was studied. A growth model of marine algae under grazing pressure and a model of growth effect on marine algae with different doses No.0 diesel water accommodated fraction were proposed. Based on the model and experiments, the growth effect of No.0 diesel water accommodated fraction on marine algae was studied. The results show that, the growth model of marine algae under grazing pressure is more suited for the marine ecological system than Logistic model. And the final biomass (B(f)) of marine algae with different doses No.0 diesel water accommodated fraction was calculated by the model with none-linear fitting software. The results also show that, under the field and laboratory conditions, lower doses No.0 diesel water accommodated fraction promotes the growth of marine algae, and the most promoting ratio are 180% and 120% respectively, however, higher doses hardly promotes but bates the growth of marine algae.