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Humans can be exposed to multiple pollutants in the air and surface water. These environments are non-static, trans-boundary and correlated, creating a complex network, and significant challenges for research on environmental hazards, especially in real-world cancer research. This article reports on a large study (377 million people in 30 provinces of China) that evaluated the combined impact of air and surface water pollution on cancer. We formulate a spatial evaluation system and a common grading scale for co-pollution measurement, and validate assumptions that air and surface water environments are spatially connected and that cancers of different types tend to cluster in areas where these environments are poorer. We observe "dose–response" relationships in both the number of affected cancer types and the cancer incidence with an increase in degree of co-pollution. We estimate that 62,847 (7.4%) new cases of cancer registered in China in 2016 were attributable to air and surface water pollution, and the majority (69.7%) of these excess cases occurred in areas with the highest level of co-pollution. The findings clearly show that the environment cannot be considered as a set of separate entities. They also support the development of policies for cooperative environmental governance and disease prevention. Dissecting the associations between exposure to environmental pollution and cancer risk remains crucial. Here, the authors evaluate the impact of air and water pollution on cancer incidence in China using a spatial evaluation system and show that most excess cancer cases occurred in areas with the highest level of co-pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the association between surface water quality and cancer incidence, especially in China. Drinking water quality has been linked to the incidence of several cancers in individual-level studies. However, few studies have attempted to examine multiple pollutants and multiple cancers at population level. This study used water monitoring and population-level cancer data from across China to examine spatial associations between water pollutants and types of cancer. We found a "dose–response" relationship between the number of pollutants present at high levels and cancer incidence. These results provide evidence of a nationwide spatial association between water quality and cancer in China. The precise relationship varies with cancers and pollutants. However, the overall consistency of the "dose–response" relationship suggests that surface water quality is an important factor in cancer incidence. Our findings highlight new issues such as the changing effects when different pollutants co-exist and an increasing number of new cancer cases partially attributable to poor water quality. Our work also points to some ways to deal with these challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complicated relationships exist in both occurrence and progression of surgical complications, which are difficult to account for using a separate quantitative method such as prediction or grading. Data of 51,030 surgical inpatients were collected from four academic/teaching hospitals in a prospective cohort study in China. The relationship between preoperative factors, 22 common complications, and death was analyzed. With input from 54 senior clinicians and following a Bayesian network approach, a complication grading, cluster-visualization, and prediction (GCP) system was designed to model pathways between grades of complication and preoperative risk factor clusters. In the GCP system, there were 11 nodes representing six grades of complication and five preoperative risk factor clusters, and 32 arcs representing a direct association. Several critical targets were pinpointed on the pathway. Malnourished status was a fundamental cause widely associated (7/32 arcs) with other risk factor clusters and complications. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score ⩾3 was directly dependent on all other risk factor clusters and influenced all severe complications. Grade III complications (mainly pneumonia) were directly dependent on 4/5 risk factor clusters and affected all other grades of complication. Irrespective of grade, complication occurrence was more likely to increase the risk of other grades of complication than risk factor clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Radiomics-based image metrics are not used in the clinic despite the rapidly growing literature. We selected eight promising radiomic features and validated their value in decoding lung cancer heterogeneity. Methods: CT images of 236 lung cancer patients were obtained from three different institutes, whereupon radiomic features were extracted according to a standardized procedure. The predictive value for patient long-term prognosis and association with routinely used semantic, genetic (e.g., epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)), and histopathological cancer profiles were validated. Feature measurement reproducibility was assessed. Results: All eight selected features were robust across repeat scans (intraclass coefficient range: 0.81–0.99), and were associated with at least one of the cancer profiles: prognostic, semantic, genetic, and histopathological. For instance, "kurtosis" had a high predictive value of early death (AUC at first year: 0.70–0.75 in two independent cohorts), negative association with histopathological grade (Spearman's r: − 0.30), and altered expression levels regarding EGFR mutation and semantic characteristics (solid intensity, spiculated shape, juxtapleural location, and pleura tag; all p < 0.05). Combined as a radiomic score, the features had a higher area under curve for predicting 5-year survival (train: 0.855, test: 0.780, external validation: 0.760) than routine characteristics (0.733, 0.622, 0.613, respectively), and a better capability in patient death risk stratification (hazard ratio: 5.828, 95% confidence interval: 2.915–11.561) than histopathological staging and grading. Conclusions: We highlighted the clinical value of radiomic features. Following confirmation, these features may change the way in which we approach CT imaging and improve the individualized care of lung cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we have systematically investigated the post-thermal annealing-induced enhancement in photovoltaic performance of a 2,4-bis[4-(N, N-diisobutylamino)-2,6-dihydroxyphenyl] squaraine (DIBSQ)/C60 planar heterojunction (PHJ) organic solar cells (OSCs). An increased power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.28% has been realized from a DIBSQ/C60 device with thermal annealing at 100 °C for 4 min, which is about 33% enhancement compared with that of the as-cast device. The improvement of the device performance may be mainly ascribed to the crystallinity of the DIBSQ film with post-thermal annealing, which will change the DIBSQ donor and C60 acceptor interface from ^PHJ to hybrid planar-mixed heterojunction. This new donor-acceptor heterojunction structure will significantly improve the charge separation and charge collection efficiency, as well as the open circuit voltage (Voc) of the device, leading to an enhanced PCE. This work provides an effective strategy to improve the photovoltaic performance of SQ-based OSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rational and objectives: To compare thin-section computed tomography (CT) features of pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) in immunocompetent and non-AIDS immunocompromised patients. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed CT findings of 18 immunocompetent and 24 non-AIDS immunocompromised patients with clinically proven PC. Different patterns of pulmonary abnormalities between the two groups of patients were compared by Fisher's exact test. Results: Pulmonary nodules were present in 37 of the 42 patients. Masses were detected in 16 patients and consolidation in 9. There were 12 patients with a solitary nodule or mass. Masses were associated with nodules in 12 patients. Consolidation was associated with nodules/masses in nine patients. The nodules/masses were associated with cavitations in 13 patients. Margination of nodules/masses was well defined in nine patients and ill-defined in 33. The abnormalities were predominantly distributed in the peripheral region of the lung (n = 29, 69.0%). The presence of cavitations in nodules/masses was significantly more frequent in non-AIDS immunocompromised than in immunocompetent patients (P = 0.001). Conclusions: The most common thin-section CT feature of PC was pulmonary nodules/masses, which were ill-defined and located peripherally. Cavitations within nodules/masses were more commonly found in non-AIDS immunocompromised patients. PC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules/masses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developmentally regulated programmed cell death (PCD) is one of the key cellular events for precise controlling of neuronal population during postembryonic development of the central nervous system. Previously we have shown that a group of corazonin-producing peptidergic neurons (vCrz) undergo apoptosis in response to ecdysone signaling via ecdysone receptor (EcR)-B isoforms and Ultraspiracle during early phase of metamorphosis. Further utilizing genetic, transgenic, and mosaic analyses, we have found that TGF-β signaling mediated by a glia-produced ligand, Myoglianin, type-I receptor Baboon (particularly Babo-A isoform) and dSmad2, is also required autonomously for PCD of the vCrz neurons. Our studies show that TGF-β signaling is not acting epistatically to EcR or vice versa. We also show that ectopic expression of a constitutively active phosphomimetic form of dSmad2 (dSmad2PM) is capable of inducing premature death of vCrz neurons in larva but not other larval neurons. Intriguingly, the dSmad2PM-mediated killing is completely suppressed by coexpression of a dominant-negative form of EcR (EcRDN), suggesting that EcR function is required for the proapoptotic dSmad2PM function. Based on these data, we suggest that TGF-β and ecdysone signaling pathways act cooperatively to induce vCrz neuronal PCD. We propose that this type of two-factor authentication is a key developmental strategy to ensure the timely PCD of specific larval neurons during metamorphosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Drosophila melanogaster a significant number of heterogenous larval neurons in the central nervous system undergo metamorphosis-associated programmed cell death, termed metamorphoptosis. Interestingly distinct groups of doomed larval neurons are eliminated at different metamorphic phases. Although ecdysone hormonal signaling via nuclear ecdysone receptors (EcRs) is known to orchestrate the neuronal metamorphoptosis, little is known about how this signaling controls such diverse neuronal responses. Crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP)-producing neurons in the ventral nerve cord are developmentally programmed to die shortly after adult emergence. In this study, we show that disruption of endogenous EcR function by ectopic expression of dominant negative forms of EcRs (EcRDN) causes premature death of larval CCAP neurons in a caspase-dependent manner. This event is rescued by co-expression of individual EcR isoforms. Furthermore, larval CCAP neurons are largely normal in ecr mutants lacking either EcR-A or EcR-B isoforms, suggesting that EcR isoforms redundantly function to protect larval CCAP neurons. Of surprise, a role of Ultraspiracle (Usp), a canonical partner of EcR, is dispensable in the protection of CCAP neurons, whereas both EcR and Usp are required for inducing metamorphoptosis of vCrz neurons shortly after prepupal formation. As a downstream, grim is an essential cell death gene for the EcRDN-mediated CCAP neuronal death, while either hid or rpr function is dispensable. Together, our results suggest that Usp-independent EcR actions protect CCAP neurons from their premature death by repressing grim expression until their normally scheduled apoptosis at post-emergence. Our studies highlight two opposite roles played by EcR function for metamorphoptosis of two different peptidergic neuronal groups, proapoptotic (vCrz) versus antiapoptotic (CCAP), and propose that distinct death timings of doomed larval neurons are determined by differential signaling mechanisms involving EcR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of microwave dielectric ceramics of (1-x) BiVO4 -xLn2/3MoO4 (Ln = Er, Sm, Nd and La; x = 0.06, 0.08, 0.10) sintered below 900 °C were prepared via solid-state reaction. As the x values increase, the monoclinic scheelite continuously changes to a tetragonal structure at x = 0.10. The incorporation of Ln2/3MoO4 into the BiVO4 matrix increases the product (Q × f) of quality factor (Q) and resonance frequency (f), and temperature coefficient (τf), but lowers the dielectric constant (εr). Microwave dielectric ceramics with low sintering temperatures (<900 °C) are obtained: εr of ~71.1, 81.6, 75.6 and ~75.3; Q × f values of ~8292, 5508, 8695 and 9043 GHz; τf of ~ −51, 134, 149 and 158 ppm/°C, for 0.94BiVO4-0.06Er2/3MoO4, 0.92BiVO4-0.08Sm2/3MoO4, 0.9BiVO4-0.1Nd2/3MoO4 and 0.9BiVO4-0.1La2/3MoO4 ceramics, respectively. Moreover, (1-x) BiVO4 -xLn2/3MoO4 (Ln = Er, Sm, Nd and La; x = 0.06, 0.08 and 0.10) ceramics are chemically compatible with both Ag and Cu powders at their sintering temperatures. The series of microwave dielectric ceramics might be potential candidates for low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) technology applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

xSr0.7Ce0.2TiO3–(1 − x)Sr(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramics, referred to xSCT–(1 − x)SMN, were successfully produced by conventional solid-state sintered technology. The compounds, belonging to perovskites with a secondary phase of CeO2, can be detected even with x down to 0.1 of SCT composition. The overall trend for grain growth illustrates the increase with increasing SCT doping level. The Raman peak at 825 cm−1 splits into two peaks and causes red shift phenomenon. XPS spectra indicate that Ti and Nb ions exist respectively in tetravalence and pentavalence, and Ce ions exist in trivalence and tetravalence. Dielectrics constant (εr) of SCT–SMN ceramics gradually increases with increasing theoretical dielectric polarizabilities. A wider width of the 825 cm−1 for FWHM of A1g mode Raman peaks suggests to a lower Q × f value. The increasing tolerance factor in agreement with temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf), denotes that the rise of perovskite symmetry. The 0.1SCT–0.9SMN ceramic sintered at 1450 °C for 4 h illustrates excellent microwave dielectric properties with εr ~ 35.4, Q × f ~ 11282 GHz and τf ~ 1.7 ppm/°C. Activation energies of 0.1SCT–0.9SMN ceramic at 100, 300 and 500 V, are ~0.436, 0.427 and 0.331 eV, respectively, indicative of a decreased trend with external electric field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel microwave dielectric ceramics Bi(ScMo)O with low firing temperature were prepared via the solid reaction method. The specimens have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and DC conductivity. The Bi(ScMo)O ceramics showed B-site ordered Scheelite-type structure with space group C2/c. Raman analysis indicated that prominent bands were attributed to the normal modes of vibration of MoO tetrahedra. The dielectric loss of Bi(ScMo)O ceramics can be depended strongly the bulk conductivity by DC measurement. The superior microwave dielectric properties are achieved in the Bi(ScMo)O ceramic sintered at 875 °C/4 h, with dielectric constant ~ 25, Q × f ~ 51,716 GHz at 6.4522 GHz and temperature coefficient of resonance frequency ~ − 70.4 ppm/°C. It is a promising microwave dielectric material for low-temperature co-fired ceramics technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave dielectric ceramics (CeBi)SrTiO ( x = 0-0.08) were prepared by conventional solid-state route. The specimens have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman and impedance spectroscopy techniques. A single perovskite solid solution with cubic structure can be formed over the entire range of x value. Raman analysis discovers that first-order modes are activated by polar defects. With increasing substitution of Bi for Ce ions from x = 0-0.08, the dielectric constant can be improved from 158 to 200 and the product ( Q × f) of quality factor ( Q) and response frequency ( f) decreases from 9531 to 1751 GHz, while the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency increases slightly from 500 to 620 ppm/°C. The impedance analysis revealed that the (CeBi)SrTiO ceramics illustrate electrical heterostructure, which includes grains, grain-layers and grain-boundaries. The mechanism of such electrical heterostructure associated with charge compensation is induced by Bi volatilization at elevated temperature. The presence of the heterogeneous microstructure can deteriorate seriously the Q × f value duo to Bi volatilization at higher sintering temperature. An excellent microwave dielectric properties with dielectric constant ~200, modest Q × f value ~1751 GHz and relatively low temperature coefficient of resonant frequency ~621 ppm/°C can be obtained for the (CeBi)SrTiO with Bi content of x = 0.08, compared with that of (Sr, Ca) TiO high-dielectric microwave ceramics. This system will provide a new insight for the fabrication of high-dielectric microwave devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave dielectric ceramics of BiLnLiVMoO (Ln = Sm, Nd and La) with a low firing temperature were prepared via conventional solid-state reaction. The phases and microstructures of the ceramics were characterized by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The temperature coefficients of resonant frequency in the three compositions increased as sintering temperature increased. It is worth noting that a phase transition of the BiLnLiVMoO (Ln = Sm, Nd and La) ceramics from a monoclinic to a tetragonal scheelite structure was found with an increase in sintering temperature. The densification temperatures of all compositions were below 700°C. Excellent microwave dielectric properties were obtained for the BiNdLiVMoO ceramic sintered at 650°C, with a dielectric constant of ~72.2, a quality factor of ~6467 GHz and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency of ~2.6 ppm/°C. The BiLnLiVMoO (Ln = Sm, Nd and La) ceramics are chemically compatible with both Ag and Cu powders at their sintering temperatures, and are thus a promising candidate for use in LTCC technology applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine whether smoking, in any form, is a risk factor in the development of cervical cancer (CC) among urban Chinese women. Methods: We ascertained retrospectively the smoking habits of 1,865 women (aged 35+) who had died from CC (cases) and 48,781 who had died from causes unrelated to smoking (controls) in 24 cities using data from a large national survey of smoking and mortality in 1989-1991. We assessed the risk of smoking on CC mortality with and without considering passive smoke exposure from a spouse using a proportional mortality study design. Results: Overall, there was a 51.0 % excess risk of death from CC among smokers. When the spouse's exposure was further considered, the RR (95 % CI) for exposed versus unexposed women was 1.28 (1.04-1.57) for passive smokers, 1.49 (1.02-2.20) for active smokers, and 1.69 (1.27-2.26) for women with both exposures (all p < 0.001). Significant dose-response associations were observed between smoking and CC for all categories of exposure. For example, individuals with both smoking exposure had the highest risk of CC mortality with moderate [RR = 1.67 (1.18-2.38)] and high [RR = 1.88 (1.04-3.41)] daily cigarette consumption, and they also had the highest risk with ≤15 years exposure [RR = 1.73 (1.19-2.52)] and >15 years exposure [RR = 1.95 (1.15-3.32)], compared with the active and passive groups ( p for trend <0.001). Conclusions: Younger trend of CC death and the rapid increase in smoking among young women may have a profound impact on future incidence of CC. Our findings emphasize the need for preventive efforts among both women and men in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the study of gene function via manipulation of mouse genome. The high homology between human and mouse genomes that allows a disease model to be formed; Use of a chemical mutagen ethylnitrosourea (ENU) to create germ cell mutations in male mice; Screening of the first generation of mutated mice for abnormal phenotypes on gross morphology, behavior, learning and memory, auditory brainstem response (ABR), electrocardiogram (ECG), electroetinogram (ERG), flash-visual evoked potential F-VEP), home mineral density, and blood sugar level; Number of mice with specific dominant abnormalities; High frequency of fur color changes, eye defects and hearing loss; Finding that abnormalities related to metabolism are least frequent; Sex preference observed in mice; Suggestion that behavior abnormalities of G1 mice are not inheritable because of multi-gene control; Implications of the research for cloning disease-related genes.

Hypertension is a leading cause of death worldwide; data on hypertension among ethnic minorities in China are sparse. This study aimed to estimate hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control in a Kazakh population, and to assess the association between salt intake and the above measures. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Kazakh adults (≥30 years old) in the town of Hongdun, Altay, Xinjiang. Survey procedures included a questionnaire, physical measurement, and laboratory tests. Of 1805 eligible individuals, 1668 (92.4%) were included in the analysis. After adjustment for gender, age, and occupation, prevalence of hypertension was 45.5%. The proportions with awareness, treatment, control, or medication-control were 61.0%, 28.8%, 2.9% and 10.1%, respectively. Higher prevalence was seen among nomads and farmers (50.7% and 44.6%, respectively). However, the proportions with treatment or control were lower than seen among urban citizens. Hypertension prevalence was higher in those with higher salt intake (p = 0.0008). In contrast, the proportions with awareness (p = 0.0389), treatment (p = 0.0010), control (p = 0.0503), and medication-control (p = 0.2012) reduced as salt intake increased. In conclusion, hypertension prevalence is high in this population, but the proportions with awareness, treatment, or control are sub-optimal. Public health interventions that improve hypertension prevention and control, particularly among nomads, is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An association between passive smoking and stroke is unclear in China, particularly the association with hemorrhagic stroke. This study included 16205 deaths due to stroke aged ≥30 years and 16205 non-stroke controls randomly selected and frequency-matched to cases on gender and age. Smoking of spouses, defined as ≥1 cigarette per day for up to 1 year, was taken as a measure of exposure to passive smoking of subjects that was retrospectively ascertained by interviewing surviving spouses. After adjustment for variables, passive smoking increased the risk of death by 10% (odds ratio (OR), 1.10; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05-1.16) for all strokes, by 10% (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.04-1.16) for hemorrhagic stroke, and by 12% (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.03-1.23) for ischemic stroke, compared with non-exposure. This finding was highly consistent in men or women and in smokers or non-smokers, and was generally consistent among zones of China despite geographic diversity. The risk significantly increased with exposure-years and quantity of cigarettes smoked daily by spouses. This study indicated that passive smoking is associated with deaths from all-type strokes. It is highly advisable for the government to promote strong tobacco prevention and cessation programs and smoke-free environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The incomplete resection of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) augments the risk of disease recurrence. Imaging-guided surgery by molecular probes represents a pivotal strategy for mitigating postoperative recurrence. Traditional optical molecular probes, primarily composed of antibodies/peptides targeting tumour cells and fluorescent groups, are challenged by the high heterogeneity of NMIBC cells, leading to inadequate probe sensitivity. We have developed a collagen-adhesive probe (CA-P) to target the collagen within the tumour microenvironment, aiming to address the issue of insufficient imaging sensitivity.The distribution characteristics of collagen in animal bladder cancer models and human bladder cancer tissues were explored. The synthesis and properties of CA-P were validated. In animal models, the imaging performance of CA-P was tested and compared with our previously reported near-infrared probe PLSWT7-DMI. The clinical translational potential of CA-P was assessed using human ex vivo bladder tissues.The distribution of collagen on the surface of tumour cells is distinct from its expression in normal urothelium. In vitro studies have demonstrated the ability of the CA-P to undergo a “sol-gel” transition upon interaction with collagen. In animal models and human ex vivo bladder specimens, CA-P exhibits superior imaging performance compared to PLSWT7-DMI. The sensitivity of this probe is 94.1%, with a specificity of 81%.CA-P demonstrates the capability to overcome tumour cell heterogeneity and enhance imaging sensitivity, exhibiting favorable imaging outcomes in preclinical models. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the application of CA-P in intraoperative navigation for NMIBC.Methods: The incomplete resection of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) augments the risk of disease recurrence. Imaging-guided surgery by molecular probes represents a pivotal strategy for mitigating postoperative recurrence. Traditional optical molecular probes, primarily composed of antibodies/peptides targeting tumour cells and fluorescent groups, are challenged by the high heterogeneity of NMIBC cells, leading to inadequate probe sensitivity. We have developed a collagen-adhesive probe (CA-P) to target the collagen within the tumour microenvironment, aiming to address the issue of insufficient imaging sensitivity.The distribution characteristics of collagen in animal bladder cancer models and human bladder cancer tissues were explored. The synthesis and properties of CA-P were validated. In animal models, the imaging performance of CA-P was tested and compared with our previously reported near-infrared probe PLSWT7-DMI. The clinical translational potential of CA-P was assessed using human ex vivo bladder tissues.The distribution of collagen on the surface of tumour cells is distinct from its expression in normal urothelium. In vitro studies have demonstrated the ability of the CA-P to undergo a “sol-gel” transition upon interaction with collagen. In animal models and human ex vivo bladder specimens, CA-P exhibits superior imaging performance compared to PLSWT7-DMI. The sensitivity of this probe is 94.1%, with a specificity of 81%.CA-P demonstrates the capability to overcome tumour cell heterogeneity and enhance imaging sensitivity, exhibiting favorable imaging outcomes in preclinical models. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the application of CA-P in intraoperative navigation for NMIBC.Results: The incomplete resection of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) augments the risk of disease recurrence. Imaging-guided surgery by molecular probes represents a pivotal strategy for mitigating postoperative recurrence. Traditional optical molecular probes, primarily composed of antibodies/peptides targeting tumour cells and fluorescent groups, are challenged by the high heterogeneity of NMIBC cells, leading to inadequate probe sensitivity. We have developed a collagen-adhesive probe (CA-P) to target the collagen within the tumour microenvironment, aiming to address the issue of insufficient imaging sensitivity.The distribution characteristics of collagen in animal bladder cancer models and human bladder cancer tissues were explored. The synthesis and properties of CA-P were validated. In animal models, the imaging performance of CA-P was tested and compared with our previously reported near-infrared probe PLSWT7-DMI. The clinical translational potential of CA-P was assessed using human ex vivo bladder tissues.The distribution of collagen on the surface of tumour cells is distinct from its expression in normal urothelium. In vitro studies have demonstrated the ability of the CA-P to undergo a “sol-gel” transition upon interaction with collagen. In animal models and human ex vivo bladder specimens, CA-P exhibits superior imaging performance compared to PLSWT7-DMI. The sensitivity of this probe is 94.1%, with a specificity of 81%.CA-P demonstrates the capability to overcome tumour cell heterogeneity and enhance imaging sensitivity, exhibiting favorable imaging outcomes in preclinical models. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the application of CA-P in intraoperative navigation for NMIBC.Conclusion: The incomplete resection of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) augments the risk of disease recurrence. Imaging-guided surgery by molecular probes represents a pivotal strategy for mitigating postoperative recurrence. Traditional optical molecular probes, primarily composed of antibodies/peptides targeting tumour cells and fluorescent groups, are challenged by the high heterogeneity of NMIBC cells, leading to inadequate probe sensitivity. We have developed a collagen-adhesive probe (CA-P) to target the collagen within the tumour microenvironment, aiming to address the issue of insufficient imaging sensitivity.The distribution characteristics of collagen in animal bladder cancer models and human bladder cancer tissues were explored. The synthesis and properties of CA-P were validated. In animal models, the imaging performance of CA-P was tested and compared with our previously reported near-infrared probe PLSWT7-DMI. The clinical translational potential of CA-P was assessed using human ex vivo bladder tissues.The distribution of collagen on the surface of tumour cells is distinct from its expression in normal urothelium. In vitro studies have demonstrated the ability of the CA-P to undergo a “sol-gel” transition upon interaction with collagen. In animal models and human ex vivo bladder specimens, CA-P exhibits superior imaging performance compared to PLSWT7-DMI. The sensitivity of this probe is 94.1%, with a specificity of 81%.CA-P demonstrates the capability to overcome tumour cell heterogeneity and enhance imaging sensitivity, exhibiting favorable imaging outcomes in preclinical models. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the application of CA-P in intraoperative navigation for NMIBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To determine the predictive value of interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status and assess the prognostic significance of EGFR and ILA in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)., Methods: We reviewed 797 consecutive patients with a histologically proven diagnosis of primary NSCLC from January 2013 to October 2018. Of these, 109 patients with NSCLC were found to have concomitant ILA. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the significant clinical and computed tomography (CT) findings in predicting EGFR mutations. Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify significant prognostic factors., Results: EGFR mutations were identified in 22 of 109 tumors (20.2%). Multivariate analysis showed that the models incorporating clinical, tumor CT and ILA CT features yielded areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values of 0.749, 0.838, and 0.849, respectively. When combining the three models, the independent predictive factors for EGFR mutations were non-fibrotic ILA, female sex, and small tumor size, with an AUC value of 0.920 (95% confidence interval[CI]: 0.861-0.978, p < 0.001). In the multivariate Cox model, EGFR mutations (hazard ratio = 0.169, 95% CI = 0.042-0.675, p = 0.012; 692 days vs. 301 days) were independently associated with extended overall survival compared to the wild-type., Conclusion: Non-fibrotic ILA independently predicts the presence of EGFR mutations, and the presence of EGFR mutations rather than non-fibrotic ILA serves as an independent good prognostic factor for patients with NSCLC., (© 2024. The Author(s).)