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There is a huge pile of literature, accessible on economic growth (GDP), natural resource rents (NR), mineral rents (MR), natural gas rents (GR), oil rents (OR), and forest rents (FR) but it does not address the association between trade openness (TO) and the availability of these resources. Thus, this study objectively probes the link among these resources and TO in CAREC nations (Georgia, China, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan) from 2000 to 2022. Mongolia, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan from CAREC countries are exempted in this inquiry due to unavailability of the data for the variables, GR, MR, and OR. The key methods used in this inquiry include method of moment quantile regression (MMQR) followed by Westerlund analysis, slope heterogeneity, CIPS unit root test, cross‐sectional dependence (CSD), and matrix correlation. The MMQR yields valid, trustworthy, and robust results. The empirical estimates demonstrate that MR and OR suggest significant positive impacts on TO. However, NR, GR, FR, and GDP have negative association with TO in CAREC countries. Besides, the research offers pertinent theoretical, and managerial blueprint proposals for global commerce by utilizing MR, OR, FR, and NR contributing to sustainable development goals (SDGs) by fostering economic development, promoting sustainable development, and addressing environmental and social challenges, and highlighting the real impact and association of these resources with TO based on empirical aftermath of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:This study aims to evaluate the local efficacy and long-term outcomes of microwave ablation (MWA) for treating large unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Methods:A total of 82 patients with 5-6 cm unresectable HCCs, who underwent a single MWA procedure during the period of January 2007 to July 2011, were retrospectively enrolled into this study. Percentages of technical success and complications of MWA and HCC local recurrence (LR) after MWA were determined. In addition, prognostic factors were screened and overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were estimated. Results:One-, three- and five-year OS rates in this MWA-treated cohort were 92.7, 63.4 and 41.1%, respectively; and the corresponding RFS rates were 65.9, 31.7 and 23.0%, respectively. Primary technical efficacy was 89.0% after the first round of ablation, three (3.7%) patients developed major complications, and LR rate was 20.7%. Child-Pugh classification (p < .001), tumour location (p = .049) and LR (p = .002) were independent factors associated with OS, as determined by multivariate analysis. Conclusions:MWA is safe and effective for the treatment of selected large HCCs, and provides an alternative treatment option for patients with unresectable HCCs. Furthermore, the favourable local efficacy of MWA could potentially improve long-term survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

S-Adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) catalyzes the reversible conversion of S-adenosylhomocysteine into adenosine and homocysteine. The SAHH from Thermotoga maritima ( TmSAHH) was expressed in Escherichia coli and the recombinant protein was purified and crystallized. TmSAHH crystals belonging to space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 106.3, b = 112.0, c = 164.9 Å, β = 103.5°, were obtained by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method and diffracted to 2.85 Å resolution. Initial phase determination by molecular replacement clearly indicated that the crystal contains one homotetramer per asymmetric unit. Further refinement of the crystal structure is in progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The value of serum biomarkers, particularly alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II), gains increasing attention in prognostic evaluation and recurrence monitoring for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study investigated the implications of serological incomplete conversion (SIC) of these 2 biomarkers as prognostic indicators for long-term outcomes after HCC resection., Methods: A multicenter observational study was conducted on a cohort of HCC patients presenting with AFP (>20 ng/mL) or PIVKA-II (>40 mAU/mL) positivity who underwent curative-intent resection. Based on their postoperative AFP and PIVKA-II levels at first postoperative follow-up (4~8 weeks after surgery), these patients were stratified into the serological incomplete conversion (SIC) and serological complete conversion (SCC) groups. The study endpoints were recurrence and overall survival (OS)., Results: Among 1755 patients, 379 and 1376 were categorized as having SIC and SCC, respectively. The SIC group exhibited 1- and 5-year OS rates of 67.5% and 26.3%, with the corresponding recurrence rates of 53.2% and 79.0%, respectively; while the SCC group displayed 1- and 5-year OS rates of 95.8% and 62.5%, with the corresponding recurrence rates of 16.8% and 48.8%, respectively (both P < .001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that postoperative SIC was an independent risk factor for both increased recurrence (HR: 2.40, 95% CI, 2.04-2.81, P < .001) and decreased OS (HR: 2.69, 95% CI, 2.24-3.24, P < .001)., Conclusion: The results emphasize that postoperative incomplete conversion of either AFP or PIVKA-II is a significant prognostic marker, indicating a higher risk for adverse oncologic outcomes following HCC resection. This revelation has crucial implications for refining postoperative adjuvant therapy and surveillance strategies for HCC patients., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press.)