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Enzymatic catalysis with high efficiency allows them a great prospect in metabolite monitoring in living cells. However, complex tumor microenvironments, such as acidity, H2O2, and hypoxia, are bound to disturb catalytic reactions for misleading results. Here, we report a spatially compartmentalized artificial organelle to correct intratumoral glucose analysis, where the zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 immobilized glucose oxidase‐horseradish peroxidase cascade core and catalase‐directed shell act as signal transduction and guarding rooms respectively. The acid‐digested core and stable shell provide appropriate spaces to boost biocatalytic efficiency with good tolerability. Notably, the endogenous H2O2 is in situ decomposed to O2 by catalase, which not only overcomes the interference in signal output but also alleviates the hypoxic states to maximize glucose oxidation. The marked protective effect and biocompatibility render artificial organelles to correct the signal transduction for dynamic monitoring glucose in vitro and in vivo, achieving our goal of accurate intratumoral metabolite analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Our objective was to assess the HIV‐1 quantification performance of the Livzon HIV‐1 viral load (VL) assay and the Roche Cobas HIV‐1 assay to evaluate an HIV‐1 VL testing reagent for application in China. Method: We compared the Livzon and Roche Cobas HIV‐1 VL assays using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid plasma samples collected between May 2021 and November 2021 from patients with HIV‐1 and healthy controls. We used Cohen's κ coefficient to measure agreement of qualitative values and Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) values and the coefficient of determination (R2) to determine the linear relationship between the two assays. We performed a Bland–Altman analysis to assess VL quantification agreement. Results: In total, 11 plasma samples from patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) and nine samples from healthy controls were undetectable on both assays. Overall agreement was seen in 419 of 500 specimens (91.40%), with a κ value of 0.59. Pearson's correlation coefficient between the two assays was 0.970. Using the Bland–Altman method, 95.14% (352/370) of paired VLs fell within the 95% confidence limits of agreement (−0.51 to 0.95 log10 copies/mL). Higher VLs had a better correlation and a smaller mean difference between the two assays. Pearson's correlation coefficient for the samples of subtype CRF01_AE, CRF07_BC, and CRF55_01B was 0.950, 0.935, and 0.952, respectively. Conclusion: The Livzon HIV‐1 VL assay exhibits good precision and linearity and a high correlation with the Roche Cobas HIV‐1 assay. The Livzon HIV‐1 VL assay has salient advantages in terms of the lyophilized powder reagent, which gives the assay greater stability and sensitivity and can be readily used in low‐resource areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The survival benefits of recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissection (RLNLD) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are still under debate, and the prognostic value of unilateral RLNLD has been rarely studied. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical significance and outcomes of RLNLD in ESCC in a large‐scale cohort study, to shed light on the outcomes of unilateral RLNLD, and to identify the factors that affect the prognostic outcome of RLNLD. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1153 patients with thoracic ESCC who underwent right thoracotomy with lymphadenectomy. The impact of RLNLD on disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazard models. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was performed to adjust for differences in baseline variables in pairwise comparisons. Subgroup analysis of survival and postoperative complications was conducted for selective RLNLD. Results: RLN lymph node (LN) metastasis was independently associated with tumor location and most other LN station metastases. RLNLD was an independent prognostic factor for DFS and OS. Both patients who underwent unilateral and bilateral RLNLD had significantly better DFS and OS than the non‐RLNLD patients. Furthermore, pairwise comparisons with IPTW confirmed these results, and we found that patients who underwent bilateral RLNLD had better survival than those who underwent unilateral RLNLD. However, subgroup analysis showed that there was no survival benefit and higher morbidity after bilateral RLNLD for patients with cancer in the lower thoracic esophagus, and elderly and female patients. Conclusion: RLN LN metastasis is very frequent in ESCC, and both unilateral and bilateral RLNLD have considerable survival benefits. Selective RLNLD with better survival and lower morbidity was recommend for some defined subgroups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a set of optogenetic tools (designated LiPOP) that enable photoswitchable necroptosis and pyroptosis in live cells with varying kinetics, is introduced. The LiPOP tools allow reconstruction of the key molecular steps involved in these two non‐apoptotic cell death pathways by harnessing the power of light. Further, the use of LiPOPs coupled with upconversion nanoparticles or bioluminescence is demonstrated to achieve wireless optogenetic or chemo‐optogenetic killing of cancer cells in multiple mouse tumor models. LiPOPs can trigger necroptotic and pyroptotic cell death in cultured prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells and in living animals, and set the stage for studying the role of non‐apoptotic cell death pathways during microbial infection and anti‐tumor immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New approaches to increase HIV‐1 testing and HIV‐1 viral load (VL) monitoring are needed for people living with HIV (PLHIV) in China. The Xpert HIV‐1 VL assay was prequalified by the World Health Organization in 2017 but has not been evaluated in China. A multicenter evaluation was conducted to assess the accuracy of the Cepheid Xpert HIV‐1 VL assay compared to the Abbott RealTime HIV‐1 assay in China. Overall agreement was seen in 558 of 562 specimens (99.29%) with a κ value of 0.962. Pearson's coefficient between the two assays was 0.943. Analyzed by the Bland‐Altman method, the mean bias was −0.54 log10 copies/mL, and 94.05% results fell within the 95% confidence limit of agreement (−1.248 to 0.168 log10 copies/mL). The coefficient of variation of the Cepheid Xpert HIV‐1 VL assay ranged from 0.61% to 1.55%, as determined by testing eight positive plasma specimens with three different lots on different days. Due to its simplicity, random‐access, rapid turnaround time, and accuracy, the Xpert HIV‐1 VL assay can be used in local hospitals and clinics that bear the burden of identifying and treating HIV patients in China. Highlights: A random‐access HIV‐1 quantitative assay (Xpert HIV‐1 VL assay, Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA) was introduced to China.The positive and negative percent agreements of the Xpert assay were 99.60% and 96.61%, respectively, assessed at a multicenter clinical trial.The coefficient of variation of the Xpert assay ranged from 0.61 to 1.55%.The Xpert HIV‐1 VL assay was rapid and accurate in viral load monitoring at the point of care in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Large-scale normative studies of pancreatic stiffness and potential influences have yet to be pursued via magnetic resonance elastography (MRE).Purpose: To determine normative MRE-based pancreatic stiffness values and to examine related influential factors.Study Type: Prospective.Subjects: In all, 361 volunteers (men, 199; women, 162) with a median age of 54.0 years and a median body mass index (BMI) of 22.86 kg/m2 were prospectively recruited. Those with no histories of smoking, alcohol abuse, and diabetes mellitus (DM) were grouped as healthy volunteers, designating all others as positive controls.Field Strength/sequence: Each volunteer underwent 3.0T pancreatic MRI at a frequency of 40 Hz.Assessment: Pancreatic stiffness values, pancreatic width and volume, waist circumference, and wave distance were measured in all subjects.Statistical Tests: Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine variables that influence MRE-determined stiffness.Results: The mean pancreatic stiffness in all volunteers was 1.20 ± 0.16 kPa. Stiffness levels in positive control volunteers proved significantly greater than levels in healthy volunteers (1.29 ± 0.17 kPa vs. 1.14 ± 0.13 kPa; P < 0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, sex (P = 0.004), BMI (P < 0.001), pancreatic width (P = 0.005), smoking (P < 0.001), alcohol abuse (P < 0.001), and DM (P = 0.001) emerged as significant independent factors impacting pancreatic stiffness. Smoking, alcohol abuse, DM, and wide pancreas were associated with greater pancreatic stiffness (coefficients = 0.202, 0.183, 0.149, and 0.160, respectively), while reduced pancreatic stiffness corresponded with female sex and larger BMI (coefficient = -0.155 and -0.192, respectively).Data Conclusion: MRE-based pancreatic stiffness values are impacted by sex, BMI, pancreatic width, smoking, alcohol abuse, and DM. Reference values are essential for future clinical studies.Level Of Evidence: 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:448-458. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In this study, positron emission tomography-computed tomography ( PET-CT) was used to monitor the maximal standard uptake value ( SUVmax) in advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients with epithermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) mutation to prove its role in predicting the prognosis of targeted therapy. Methods A total of 46 patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma ( IIIb- IV stage) were enrolled in the current study. They were positive for EGFR mutation. All patients received gefitinib (250 mg per day, administered orally). PET- CT was conducted prior to (at baseline) and six months after gefitinib administration for the lesion size and SUVmax. The recommendations of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer criteria were chosen for PET assessment. Metabolic response ( SUV decline < −25%) was compared with morphologic response evaluated by CT scan and overall survival. Result Compared to patients with △ SUV% ≥ 25% (progressive metabolic disease), the survival time was significantly prolonged in △ SUV% < −25% (including complete metabolic response and progressive metabolic disease) (10.6/18.4, P = 0.000), but was not in −25% ≤ △ SUV% < 25% (stable metabolic disease) (10.6/10.7, P = 0.088). Patients who achieved △ SUV% < −25% after treatment were associated with a longer median survival, higher control rate, and better prognosis. There was a strong correlation between SUV changes (△ SUV%) and CT size change (△lesion size%) (R2 = 0.891, P = 0.000). Conclusion Changes in the SUV could be used to predict the prognosis of targeted therapy in advanced lung adenocarcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]