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Aims: This work was designed to identify the subgroup of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients for whom treatments containing immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) were most effective. Materials & methods: A meta-analysis was performed to explore the subgroup population with the greatest benefit of treatments containing ICBs. Results: A total of 2228 patients from four randomized control trials were included. Treatments containing ICBs had better overall survival, progression-free survival and higher objective response rate over treatment without ICBs. Subgroup analysis revealed that treatments containing ICBs were highly effective in improving the overall survival of males, patients with macrovascular invasion and/or extrahepatic spread and viral-related HCC patients. Conclusion: Treatments containing ICBs are more effective for males, patients with macrovascular invasion and/or extrahepatic spread and viral-related HCC patients.

The association between preoperative cognitive impairment, postoperative pain, and postoperative delirium in older patients after noncardiac surgery is not known.This was a secondary analysis of datasets from three previous studies. Patients aged ≥55 yr who underwent elective noncardiac surgery were enrolled. Preoperative cognitive impairment was defined as Mini-Mental State Examination27. Pain intensity with movement was assessed using an 11-point numeric rating scale at 12-h intervals during the first 72 h after surgery; time-weighted average (TWA) pain score was calculated. Primary outcome was the occurrence of delirium within the first 5 postoperative days. Mediation analysis was used to investigate the relationships between cognitive impairment, pain score, and delirium.A total of 1497 patients were included. Prevalence of preoperative cognitive impairment was 40.3% (603/1497). Patients with cognitive impairment suffered higher TWA pain score within 72 h (4 [3-5] vs 3 [2-5], P=0.004) and more delirium within 5 days (12.9% [78/603] vs 4.9% [44/894], P0.001) when compared with those without. Total and direct associations between cognitive impairment and delirium were (adjusted β) 8.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.8-12.0%; P0.001) and 7.8% (95% CI, 4.4-12.0%; P0.001), respectively. A significant indirect association with acute pain was observed between cognitive impairment and delirium (adjusted β=0.4%; 95% CI, 0.1-1.0%; P=0.006), accounting for 4.9% of the total effect.The association between preoperative cognitive impairment and delirium is significantly mediated by acute pain in patients after noncardiac surgery. Considering the small effect size, clinical significance of this mediation effect requires further investigation.

Fatty liver (FL) is reportedly a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in individuals affected with Hepatitis C (HCV) or B (HBV) virus. However, the results are contradictory, necessitating a meta-analysis. Sixteen relevant studies involving 88,618 individuals were retrieved from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases from their inception to 10 December 2022. The hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were analyzed. Liver biopsy-proven FL may be a significant risk factor for HCC in individuals affected with HBV (univariate analyses: HR = 3.13, 95% CI = 1.69–5.79; multivariate analyses: HR = 3.42, 95% CI = 0.83–14.09) as well as HCV (univariate analyses: HR = 1.64, 95% CI = 0.93–2.90; multivariate analyses: HR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.02–3.00). However, the presence of FL confirmed using reasonable methods other than liver biopsy may not indicate a risk for HCC in HBV-infected individuals (univariate analyses: HR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.44–1.81; multivariate analyses: HR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.45–1.08). Biopsy-proven FL may be a significant risk factor for HCC in HCV/HBV-infected individuals. Thus, such individuals should receive suitable interventions to prevent HCC formation or at least attenuate the risk of HCC.

In this study, a new method for the point-of-care testing of thiodiglycol (TDG) using molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-coated electrospun nanofiber membranes is reported.

A light-exposed ZnO interface is filled with oxygen vacancies to limit surface defects, a smooth morphology is formed at an optimized time and a larger hole injection barrier is formed to suppress the dark current of an organic photodetector.

(1) Background: C. vietnamensis is very suitable for growth in the low hilly areas of southern subtropical regions. Under appropriate conditions, the oil yield of C. vietnamensis can reach 1125 kg/ha (the existing varieties can reach 750 kg/ha). Moreover, the fruit of C. vietnamensis is large and the pericarp is thick (>5 cm). Therefore, a high seed ratio has become the main target economic trait for the breeding of C. vietnamensis. (2) Methods: A half-sibling population of C. vietnamensis plants with a combination of high and low seed ratios was constructed by crossing a C. vietnamensis female parent. Bulked segregant RNA analysis and full-length transcriptome sequencing were performed to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying a high seed ratio. (3) Results: Seed ratio is a complex quantitative trait with a normal distribution, which is significantly associated with four other traits of fruit (seed weight, seed number, fruit diameter, and pericarp thickness). Two candidate regions related to high seed ratio (HSR) were predicted. One spanned 140.8–148.4 Mb of chromosome 2 and was associated with 97 seed-yield-related candidate genes ranging in length from 278 to 16,628 bp. The other spanned 35.3–37.3 Mb on chromosome 15 and was associated with 38 genes ranging in length from 221 to 16,928 bp. Using the full-length transcript as a template, a total of 115 candidate transcripts were obtained, and 78 transcripts were predicted to be functionally annotated. The DEGs from two set pairs of cDNA sequencing bulks were enriched to cytochrome p450 CYP76F14 (KOG0156; GO:0055114, HSR4, HSR7), the gibberellin phytohormone pathway (GO:0016787, HSR5), the calcium signaling pathway (GO:0005509, HSR6), the polyubiquitin-PPAR signaling pathway (GO:0005515, HSR2, HSR3), and several main transcription factors (bZIP transcription factor, HSR1) in C. vietnamensis.

Education is very important for cultivating personal ability and humanity, but choosing a major that suits the individual will improve learning ability and point out a specific direction for determining the future. In order to grasp the correlation and influence among Chinese Cosmetology students’ Major Selection Motivation, Career Decision Making and Major Satisfaction, this study used the survey conducted by WeChat and Wenjuanxing program from June 25 to July 25, 2022. A total of 180 copies were used for final analysis. Data analysis was conducted via SPSSWIN 21.0 with frequency analysis and factor analysis to test validity. Reliability was assessed by Cronbach‘s coefficient. Descriptive statistics analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis were also conducted. The results of the study were as follows: female (gender), The 19-20 years old (age), higher vocational school (education), 1st grade (grade), skin care (major) . It shows the relationship between Major Selection Motivation, Career Decision Making and major Satisfaction had a positive (+) correlation. It also can be seen that the economic motivation factor of the Major Selection Motivation has a very high effect on the career plan and the career confidence factor of the career decision making . Based on the findings of the study, the personal motivation, economic motivation and social motivation of major selection motivation have a very high effect on all factors. The study found that the economic motivation of major selection motivation has the greatest impact on the career plan factor of career decision making and the social identity factor of major satisfaction. Therefore, cosmetology students recognize the importance of establishing career planning and social awareness in the career guidance and counseling process.

To identify the relationship between depression measured by Zung depression rating scale (ZDRS) and postoperative outcomes (including the patients reported outcomes [PRO] and clinical outcomes) two years after short-segment fusion surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal disease in older patients (aged 75 years and older).We enrolled patients who underwent short-segment fusion surgery for lumbar degenerative disease from May 2018 to June 2020. All patients were assessed for depression using the ZDRS. Patients were included in the depression group and not-depressed group based on their scores. Preoperative baseline data were collected on characteristics, comorbidities, laboratory data, pain levels (visual analogue scale [VAS]), functional status (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]), and surgery-related variables. The primary outcomes were PRO measures, including VAS, ODI and satisfaction two years after lumbar fusion surgery. Other outcomes included postoperative complications, the length of stay, and reoperation. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for poor satisfaction.A total of 231 patients (201 in not-depressed and 30 in depressed group) were enrolled in this study. There were no significant differences between the two groups for baseline data. Depressed group had higher rates of choices for dissatisfaction (36.7% vs. 14.0%, p = 0.015), higher VAS scores of low back pain (2.8 ± 2.3 vs. 1.6 ± 1.7, p = 0.012), and worse functional status (31.5 ± 22.5 vs 21.8 ± 19.9, p = 0.015) than the not-depressed group. Depressed patients reported significantly higher rates of postoperative complications and readmissions. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that depression (p = 0.001) was independently associated with postoperative dissatisfaction.Preoperative depression was a risk factor for postoperative dissatisfaction, worse functional status, readmission, and complications in older patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery. Preoperative screening using the Zung depression scale helps inform decision-making when considering fusion surgery for patients aged 75 and older.

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The prognostic value of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) response for efficacy of targeted therapy or immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has not been established. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to elucidate the relationship between AFP response and survival outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who received targeted therapy or ICIs. The hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to evaluate the relationship between AFP response and overall survival (OS)/progression-free survival (PFS). Twenty-six articles containing 3056 HCC patients were finally included in the study. The pooled results showed that after targeted therapy or ICIs, patients with decrease in AFP had better prognosis (OS:HR = 0.48, 95%CI:0.40–0.56; PFS:HR = 0.39, 95%CI:0.33–0.46), while patients with increase in AFP had worse prognosis (OS:HR = 2.30, 95%CI:1.82–2.89; PFS:HR = 2.34, 95%CI = 1.69–3.24). Subgroup analysis revealed that compared to AFP decrease >50%, AFP decrease >20% can better predict the prognosis of patients who received targeted therapy (OS:HR = 0.51, 95%CI:0.41–0.62; PFS:HR = 0.39, 95%CI:0.30–0.51) or ICIs treatment (OS:HR = 0.34, 95%CI:0.16–0.71; PFS:HR = 0.22, 95%CI:0.10–0.47), and 8 weeks after targeted therapy may be the appropriate time point for AFP assessment. AFP decrease >20% within 8 weeks may be the appropriate definition for early AFP response which probably works best in predicting the efficacy of therapy. The review was not registered.

Objective: This meta-analysis was designed to explore the association between the systemic immune–inflammation index (SII) and the therapeutic effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Materials & methods: The authors retrieved relevant studies published before May 25, 2022. Hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI was used to evaluate the relationship between SII and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: 14 articles comprising 2721 patients were included in this study. The pooled results proved that high SII levels were closely related to poor prognosis in cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (OS HR = 2.40; 95% CI: 2.04–2.82; PFS HR = 1.57; 95% CI: 1.33–1.86) and that an SII value of 750 was appropriate as a cut-off value (OS HR = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.83–2.63; PFS HR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.33–1.80). Conclusion: High SII levels (>750) may be an indicator of worse OS and PFS in cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Siphon drainage using inclined borehole and 4 mm inner diameter pipes is an efficient and stable measure for long-term landslide drainage. In order to compare alternative drainage arrangements more efficiently, a numerical method is proposed for siphon drainage process simulation. The novelty of this method is to simulate the dynamic process of siphon drainage by a series of iterative seepage analyses. The whole drainage process is divided into many small time steps and each one corresponds to an independent seepage analysis. The iterative operation is fully automated by reading and rewriting the calculation document with Python code. The siphon flow rate in each analysis is determined by the total head at the siphon pipe inlet obtained from the previous analysis result. An empirical formula based on experimental data is used for flow rate calculation. SEEP3D is adopted to perform the three-dimensional seepage analysis. BUILD3D along with computer-aided design software is used to build the three-dimensional model with a realistic topographic surface. The proposed method is illustrated and validated with a case, the Shaqiucun landslide, China. A parameter study is carried out and the influence of parameter setting on the drainage effect is discussed.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with cognitive impairment and abnormal mental behaviour. There is currently no effective cure. The development of early diagnostic markers and the mining of potential therapeutic targets are one of the important strategies. This study aimed to explore potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets related to AD in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, two brain regions highly related to AD. Differentially expressed genes and miRNAs between AD patients and healthy controls were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The mRNA-miRNA network was constructed and key genes involved in AD were screened out by protein-protein interaction analysis, and were subsequently verified by independent datasets and qPCR in an AD mouse model. Our findings showed that six hub genes including CALN1, TRPM7, ATR, SOCS3, MOB3A and OGDH were believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of AD. Western blot analysis further determined that CALN1, ATR and OGDH were the possible biomarkers and therapeutic targets for AD. In addition, 6 possible miRNAs biomarkers have also been verified by qPCR on AD animal models. Our findings may benefit clinical diagnosis and early prevention of AD.

Purpose Both erector spinae plane block and wound infiltration are used to improve analgesia following spinal fusion surgery. Herein, we compared the analgesic effect of bilateral erector spinae plane block with wound infiltration in this patient population. Methods In this randomized trial, 60 patients scheduled for elective open posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery were randomized to receive either ultrasound-guided bilateral erector spinae plane block before incision (n = 30) or wound infiltration at the end of surgery (n = 30). Both groups received standardized general anesthesia and postoperative analgesia, including patient-controlled analgesia with sufentanil and no background infusion. Opioid consumption and pain intensity were assessed at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after surgery. The primary outcome was cumulative opioid consumption within 24 h after surgery. Results All 60 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The equivalent dose of sufentanil consumption within 24 h was significantly lower in patients given erector spinae plane block (median 11 μg, interquartile range 5–16) than in those given wound infiltration (20 μg, 10 to 43; median difference − 10 μg, 95% CI − 18 to − 3, P = 0.007). The cumulative number of demanded PCA boluses was significantly lower with erector spinae plane block at 6 h (median difference − 2, 95% CI − 3 to 0, P = 0.006), 12 h (− 3, 95% CI − 6 to − 1, P = 0.002), and 24 h (− 5, 95% CI − 8 to − 2, P = 0.005) postoperatively. The proportion given rescue analgesia was also significantly lower in patients given erector spinae plane block group within 48 h (relative risk 0.27, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.96, P = 0.037). There were no statistical differences in pain intensity at any timepoints between groups. No procedure-related adverse events occurred. Conclusions Compared with wound infiltration, bilateral ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block decreases short-term opioid consumption while providing similar analgesia in patients following lumbar spinal fusion surgery. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2100053008.

When a high-speed train passes through tunnels, tunnel pressure waves will cause pressure fluctuation inside carriage. Traditional control strategy of shutting down air ducts for a fixed period may fail to consider both riding comfort and air quality. The similarity of tunnel pressure waves when the same train passes through the same tunnel provides a possibility to solve the problem by iterative learning control (ILC) algorithm. However, the varying amplitude and scale limit the application of conventional ILC. Thus in each iteration, the control inputs of the nearest condition in the historical database will be matched and applied to the control process, after which the control error will be gained and then the control inputs will be updated by the error. Next, the performance will be evaluated to refresh the database to make the control inputs in the database to be optimal. Feasibility analysis and simulations show the feasibility of controlling the fluctuation inside the carriage by matching the database records.

A Pd/phase-transfer catalyst cooperatively catalyzed domino Heck/allylation reaction is first reported, which represents interesting substrate-dependent regioselectivity. Under the same conditions, Ts-protected