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Oligosaccharides are important functional active components of Lycium barbarum L. (LBL, “Goji”) fruits, but their metabolic mechanisms are not yet clear. In this study, we firstly investigated the changes in the content of oligosaccharides in LBL at different stages (S1–S5), and found that it mainly accumulated at S3 and S4. Secondly, the structural characteristics of LBL oligosaccharide (LBO) were studied by GC-MS and FT-IR. Thirdly, using iTRAQ proteomics analysis, we identified 135 differentially expressed proteins associated with oligosaccharide metabolism, which is mainly accomplished through the collaboration of a range of key enzymes. At S1 and S2, oligosaccharide synthesis was achieved mainly through photosynthesis, and changes in anabolism were mainly associated with the expression of sucrose synthase, sucrose phosphate synthase and hexokinase. Oligosaccharide accumulation was achieved through starch and polysaccharide metabolism and cellulose catabolism at S3 and S4, where the enzymes associated with changes in oligosaccharide anabolism included glycosylase, β-fructosidase and glucan endonuclease. This report will provide a theoretical basis for further elucidating the mechanisms of oligosaccharide anabolism during the growth and development of LBL.

Background: The survival benefit of partial nephrectomy (PN) in pT3a RCC patients is controversial. Here we aimed to explore the potential benefit of PN for pT3aN0M0 renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Material and methods: Data of patients with pT3aN0M0 RCC who were diagnosed between 2010 and 2012 in the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were retrospectively collected. Overall survival (OS) and cancer specific survival (CSS) were compared using a Cox proportional hazards model between PN and radical nephrectomy (RN) in pT3aN0M0 RCC. Propensity score (–adjusted, –stratified, –weighted, and –matched) analyses were performed to control for imbalances in individual risk factors. Results: A total of 1277 patients with pT3aN0M0 RCC were identified, of whom 200 patients were treated with PN and 1077 patients were RN. PN showed favorable OS and CSS in 0–4 cm pT3aN0M0 RCC (P

Summary: Dysregulation of transcription is a hallmark of cancer, including bladder cancer (BLCA). CRISPR-Cas9 screening using a lentivirus library with single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) targeting human transcription factors and chromatin modifiers is used to reveal genes critical for the proliferation and survival of BLCA cells. As a result, the nuclear transcription factor Y subunit gamma (NFYC)-37, but not NFYC-50, is observed to promote cell proliferation and tumor growth in BLCA. Mechanistically, NFYC-37 interacts with CBP and SREBP2 to activate mevalonate pathway transcription, promoting cholesterol biosynthesis. However, NFYC-50 recruits more of the arginine methyltransferase CARM1 than NFYC-37 to methylate CBP, which prevents the CBP-SREBP2 interaction and subsequently inhibits the mevalonate pathway. Importantly, statins targeting the mevalonate pathway can suppress NFYC-37-induced cell proliferation and tumor growth, indicating the need for conducting a clinical trial with statins for treating patients with BLCA and high NFYC-37 levels, as most patients with BLCA have high NFYC-37 levels.

Background: The ability to hold an endoscope is an important skill for surgeons and assistants performing endoscopic neurosurgery. Motion tracking can provide an objective assessment for surgical skills and may aid in endoscopic neurosurgery. We developed a cost-effective system to study the feasibility of objectively distinguishing performance levels for operating an endoscope., Methods: The study was divided into 2 parts. First, a video motion tracking analysis tool was built based on a printed mark and free software (Kinovea 0.8.15). Second, the tool was used to distinguish the holding endoscope performance of the robotic arm by experts (surgeon, n = 3) and novice users (residents, n = 6) under both 0' and 30' endoscopes., Results: Through the printed mark and free software, we successfully built a system for video motion tracking. The data analysis showed that for both 0' and 30' endoscopes, the experts had a shorter total distance and depth, smaller average speed and maximum acceleration, and a fewer number of extreme accelerations than their novice counterparts. Compared with experts and residents, the fixed arm had better results., Conclusions: The simple low-cost video motion tracking system can provide an objective assessment of an endoscope holding skill, which allows for discrimination between an expert and a novice, and can be used by clinical neurosurgeons to select a qualified assistant., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Intracerebral hematomas (ICH) is a common disease in the developing countries, and minimally invasive transportal resection of ICH is a widely accepted surgical technique. Many port systems are available, but most are disposable and expensive. We present a safe and cost-effective glove-syringe substitute for endoscopic hematoma evacuation, suitable for developing countries such as China., Methods: A port substitute of different sizes and lengths was constructed using sterile gloves and syringes, commonly found in a surgical environment., Results: We successfully performed endoscopic hematoma removal in 7 patients including 1 cerebellar hemorrhage case and the remaining 6 supratentorial basal ganglia cases (1 patient taking oral aspirin). Bipolar electrocoagulation was used to control bleeding from the ruptured blood vessels. There were no postsurgical complications., Conclusions: The glove-syringe port is a convenient, safe, and cost-effective tubular port system for endoscopic surgery of ICH. Such ports can be used as substitutes when commercial sleeves are unavailable, especially in rural areas and developing countries., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)