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Background and objective Current studies suggest that for early-stage lung cancers with a component of ground-glass opacity measuring ≤2 cm, sublobar resection is suitable if it ensures adequate margins. However, lobectomy may be necessary for some cases to achieve this. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of size and depth on surgical techniques for wedge resection, segmentectomy, and lobectomy in early-stage lung cancer ≤2 cm, and to determine methods for ensuring a safe resection margin during sublobar resections. Methods Clinical data from 385 patients with early-stage lung cancer ≤2 cm, who underwent lung resection in 2022, were subject to a retrospective analysis, covering three types of procedures: wedge resection, segmentectomy and lobectomy. The depth indicator as the OA value, which is the shortest distance from the inner edge of a pulmonary nodule to the opening of the corresponding bronchus, and the AB value, which is the distance from the inner edge of the nodule to the pleura, were measured. For cases undergoing lobectomy and segmentectomy, three-dimensional computed tomography bronchography and angiography (3D-CTBA) was performed to statistically determine the number of subsegments required for segmentectomy. The cutting margin width for wedge resection and segmentectomy was recorded, as well as the specific subsegments and their quantities removed during lung segmentectomy were documented. Results In wedge resection, segmentectomy, and lobectomy, the sizes of pulmonary nodules were (1.08±0.29) cm, (1.31±0.34) cm and (1.50±0.35) cm, respectively, while the depth of the nodules (OA values) was 6.05 (5.26, 6.85) cm, 4.43 (3.27, 5.43) cm and 3.04 (1.80, 4.18) cm for each procedure, showing a progressive increasing trend (P2 cm demonstrated a higher proportion of cases with resection margins less than 2 cm compared to those with margins greater than 2 cm (29.03% vs 12.90%, P=0.019). When utilizing the size of the nodule as the criterion for resection margin, the instances with AB value >2 cm continued to show a higher proportion in the ratio of margin distance to tumor size less than 1 (37.50% vs 17.39%, P=0.009). The median number of subsegments for segmentectomy was three, whereas lobectomy cases requiring segmentectomy involved five subsegments (P

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a specific heart condition in diabetic patients, which is a major cause of heart failure and significantly affects quality of life. DCM is manifested as abnormal cardiac structure and function in the absence of ischaemic or hypertensive heart disease in individuals with diabetes. Although the development of DCM involves multiple pathological mechanisms, mitochondrial dysfunction is considered to play a crucial role. The regulatory mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction mainly include mitochondrial dynamics, oxidative stress, calcium handling, uncoupling, biogenesis, mitophagy, and insulin signaling. Targeting mitochondrial function in the treatment of DCM has attracted increasing attention. Studies have shown that plant secondary metabolites contribute to improving mitochondrial function and alleviating the development of DCM. This review outlines the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of DCM and discusses the regulatory mechanism for mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, it also summarizes treatment strategies based on plant secondary metabolites. These strategies targeting the treatment of mitochondrial dysfunction may help prevent and treat DCM.

Abstract Background Solid nodules (SN) had more aggressive features and a poorer prognosis than part-solid nodules (PSN). This study aimed to evaluate the specific impacts of nodule radiological appearance (SN vs. PSN) on lymph node metastasis and prognosis based on solid size in cT1 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Patients with cT1 NSCLC who underwent anatomical resection between 2010 and 2019 were retrospectively screened. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were adopted to evaluate the associations between nodule radiological appearance and lymph node metastasis. The log-rank test and Cox regression analyses were applied for prognostic evaluation. The cumulative recurrence risk was evaluated by the competing risk model. Results There were 958 and 665 NSCLC patients with PSN and SN. Compared to the PSN group, the SN arm had a higher overall lymph node metastasis rate (21.7% vs. 2.7%, P

Abstract Background To develop and validate a preoperative nomogram model combining the radiomics signature and clinical features for preoperative prediction of visceral pleural invasion (VPI) in lung nodules presenting as part‐solid density. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 156 patients with pathologically confirmed invasive lung adenocarcinomas after surgery from January 2016 to August 2019. The patients were split into training and validation sets by a ratio of 7:3. The radiomic features were extracted with the aid of FeAture Explorer Pro (FAE). A CT‐based radiomics model was constructed to predict the presence of VPI and internally validated. Multivariable regression analysis was conducted to construct a nomogram model, and the performance of the models were evaluated with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and compared with each other. Results The enrolled patients were split into training (n = 109) and validation sets (n = 47). A total of 806 features were extracted and the selected 10 optimal features were used in the construction of the radiomics model among the 707 stable features. The AUC of the nomogram model was 0.888 (95% CI: 0.762–0.961), which was superior to the clinical model (0.787, 95% CI: 0.643–0.893; p = 0.049) and comparable to the radiomics model (0.879, 95% CI: 0.751–0.965; p > 0.05). The nomogram model achieved a sensitivity of 90.5% and a specificity of 76.9% in the validation dataset. Conclusions The nomogram model could be considered as a noninvasive method to predict VPI with either highly sensitive or highly specific diagnoses depending on clinical needs.

Abstract Background Segmentectomy has been recommended for ground glass opacity (GGO)‐dominant small‐sized non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or those with GGO component. Pure solid NSCLC is a special sub‐type and has an inferior prognosis. Whether segmentectomy could achieve comparable long‐term outcomes with lobectomy for pure solid small‐sized NSCLC remained controversial. This study aimed to compare the prognosis of segmentectomy and lobectomy for pure solid NSCLC. Methods NSCLC patients with a pure solid nodule (≤2 cm) who received segmentectomy or lobectomy between January 2010 and June 2019 were retrospectively screened. Log‐rank test, univariable, and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used for prognostic comparison. Further, the propensity score matching analysis was adopted to yield a matched cohort. Results After screening, 344 pure solid NSCLC patients with a median follow‐up time of 56 months were reserved. Among them, 98 patients underwent segmentectomy and the other 246 subjects received lobectomy. The lobectomy group had a larger tumor size, a higher rate of lymph node metastasis than the segmentectomy arm. Generally, patients with segmentectomy had a better disease‐free survival (DFS) (p = 0.011) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.028) than those with lobectomy. However, the multivariable Cox regression analysis indicated that no significant survival difference existed between segmentectomy and lobectomy after adjusting the potential confounding factors (DFS: hazard ratio [HR], 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30–1.77, p = 0.476; OS: HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.08–1.59, p = 0.178). Consistently, in the propensity score matched cohort, segmentectomy (n = 74) yielded similar DFS (p = 0.960) and OS (p = 0.320) with lobectomy (n = 74). Conclusions Segmentectomy could achieve comparable oncological outcomes with lobectomy for pure solid small‐sized NSCLC.

Context Gnetum montanum Markgr. (Gnetaceae) is used to treat rheumatic arthralgia and bruises in the clinic.Objective To exam the activity and mechanism of G. montanum extract (GME) against colon cancer cells SW480.Materials and methods The anti-proliferative activity of GME (0–120 μg/mL) on SW480 cells was determined using MTS assay at 24, 48, and 72 h. The in vitro activity of GME (0–120 μg/mL) on SW480 cells was investigated using flow cytometry and western blotting analysis. The in vivo activity of GME was evaluated using xenograft tumour model of zebrafish and nude mice. The chemical composition of GME was detected by using HPLC–MS/MS.Results The IC50 value SW480 cells viability by GME were 126.50, 78.25, and 50.77 μg/mL, respectively, for 24, 48, and 72 h. The experiments showed that apoptotic cells and G2/M phase cells increased from 20.81 to 61.53% (p

Abstract Antisense lncRNAs were endogenous productions from the antisense strand of coding genes and were transcribed in the reverse direction of the sense gene. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the roles and functions of antisense lncRNAs in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Differentially expressed antisense lncRNAs were initially screened based on transcriptome data of 119 paired ESCC samples in GSE53624 and were further validated in 6 paired ESCC samples from our institution. Log-rank test was adopted to identify ESCC prognosis-associated lncRNAs. Finally, functional assays were performed to reveal the functions of our identified antisense lncRNAs. In total, 174 antisense lncRNAs were differentially expressed in both GSE53624 and JSPH databases. Five of them were significantly associated with ESCC prognosis (NNT-AS1, NKILA, CCDC18-AS1, SLCO4A1-AS1, and AC110619.1). Of note, NNT-AS1 showed the most significant association with ESCC prognosis. The upregulation of NNT-AS1 was further confirmed in ESCC cells. Knockdown of NNT-AS1 inhibited ESCC cell proliferation, migration, promoted ESCC cells apoptosis, and induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M stage. NNT-AS1 expression significantly correlated with its sense gene NNT. As expected, NNT-AS1 knockdown suppressed NNT expression. Inhibition of NNT repressed ESCC cell proliferation and migration, and accelerated ESCC cell apoptosis. Overexpression of NNT could rescue the suppressed proliferation and migration of ESCC cells induced by the silencing of NNT-AS1. In terms of mechanism, NNT-AS1 served as a competing endogenous RNA to sponge the miR-382-5p, which could inhibit NNT expression. Pathway enrichment analysis and western blot assay indicated that NNT-AS1 and NNT could regulate the cell cycle pathway. In conclusion, antisense lncRNA NNT-AS1 facilitated ECSS progression by targeting its sense gene NNT through sponging miR-382-5p. This study provided us with a deeper insight into the roles of antisense lncRNAs in ESCC and identified novel potential therapeutic targets.

Abstract Background This study aims to reveal the serum tumor marker (STM) levels in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) histological subtypes and evaluate their values in predicting the solid and micropapillary components (SMC). Methods We retrospectively analyzed 3100 invasive LUAD patients between January 2017 and December 2020. Associations between preoperative STMs (CEA, CYFRA21‐1, CA199, CA724, NSE, AFP) and LUAD subtypes were evaluated. Multivariate regression analyses were used to determine the independent predictors. Predictive models for SMC were constructed and AUC (area under the curve) was calculated. Results CEA and CYFRA21‐1 levels differed across the LUAD histological subtypes, with the SPA (solid‐predominant adenocarcinoma) having the highest level and the LPA (lepidic‐predominant adenocarcinoma) harboring the lowest level (p

Abstract Background The poor outcome of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) highlights the importance of the identification of novel effective prognostic biomarkers. We aimed to identify a clinically applicable prognostic immunohistochemistry (IHC) panel for ESCC. Methods An integrated analysis was performed to screen and establish a prognostic panel using exome sequencing profile from 81 pairs of ESCC samples and RNA expression microarray data from 119 ESCC subjects. Two independent ESCC cohorts were recruited as training and validation groups to test the prognostic value. Results Three genes were selected, namely, ANO1, GAL, and MMP3, which were aberrantly expressed in ESCC tumor tissues (P

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most lethal malignancies with poor prognosis. Cancer-testis genes (CTGs) have been vigorously pursued as targets for cancer immunotherapy, but the expressive patterns and functional roles of CTGs remain unclear in ESCC. Methods: A systematic screening strategy was adopted to screen CTGs in ESCC by integrating multiple public databases and RNA expression microarray data from 119 ESCC subjects. For the newly identified ESCC prognosis-associated CTGs, an independent cohort of 118 patients with ESCC was recruited to validate the relationship via immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, functional assays were performed to determine the underlying mechanisms. Findings: 21 genes were recognized as CTGs, in particular, CDCA5 was aberrantly upregulated in ESCC tissues and significantly associated with poor prognosis (HR = 1.85, 95%CI: 1.14–3.01, P = .013). Immunohistochemical staining confirmed that positive CDCA5 expression was associated with advanced TNM staging and a shorter overall survival rate (45.59% vs 28.00% for CDCA5−/+ subjects, P = 1.86 × 10−3). H3K27 acetylation in CDCA5 promoter might lead to the activation of CDCA5 during ESCC tumorigenesis. Functionally, in vitro assay of gain- and loss-of-function of CDCA5 suggested that CDCA5 could promote ESCC cells proliferation, invasion, migration, apoptosis resistance and reduce chemosensitivity to cisplatin. Moreover, in vivo assay showed that silenced CDCA5 could inhibit tumor growth. Mechanistically, CDCA5 knockdown led to an arrest in G2/M phase and changes in the expression of factors that played fundamental roles in the cell cycle pathway. Interpretation: CDCA5 contributed to ESCC progression and might serve as an attractive target for ESCC immunotherapy. Fund: This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (No. BK20181083 and BK20181496), Jiangsu Top Expert Program in Six Professions (No. WSW-003 and WSW-007), Major Program of Science and Technology Foundation of Jiangsu Province (No. BE2016790 and BE2018746), Jiangsu Medical Young Talent Project (No. QNRC2016566), the Program of Jiangsu Medical Innovation Team (No. CXTDA2017006), Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province (KYCX18_1487) and Jiangsu Province 333 Talents Project (No. BRA2017545). Keywords: Esophageal squamous cell cancer, Cancer-testis gene, CDCA5, Immunotherapy, Biomarker

Yizhi Granule (YZG) is a health food containing six traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). It improves memory barriers in rat experiments. Here, we describe the first fast and sensitive ultraperformance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-Q-TOF MS) method for analyzing YZG in plasma. We used this technique for studies in cynomolgus monkey plasma. By comparing retention time, MS, and MS/MS data of reference compounds, 70 compounds were detected in YZG. Of these, 63 were identified including 60 saponins, 2 flavones, and 1 methyl ester. There were 33 saponins, 1 flavone, and 1 methyl ester in the plasma. Next, to study the therapeutic properties of YZG, the neuroprotective effect of some of the absorbed components was evaluated using PC12 cell damage caused by the Aβ25–35 model. The results showed that 9 compounds protect PC12 cells from Aβ25–35 with cell viability (%) of 111.00 ± 8.12 (G-Rb1), 102.20 ± 4.22 (G-Rb2), 100.34 ± 6.47 (G-Rd), 102.83 ± 2.10 (G-Re), 101.68 ± 7.64 (NG-Fa), 101.19 ± 7.83 (NG-R1), 102.53 ± 0.55 (NG-R2), 106.88 ± 4.95 (gypenoside A), and 103.95 ± 4.11 (gypenoside XLIX), respectively, versus the control group (87.51 ± 6.59). These results can reveal the real pharmacodynamic basis of YZG and provide a theoretical basis for subsequent studies. It can also provide some references for the research of Alzheimer’s disease.

Air pollution characterized by fine particulate matter (PM2.5) frequently has occurred in China, and has posed threats to human health. The physiochemical characteristics of airborne PM2.5 have been extensively studied, but its bacterial structures and functions have not yet been well studied. Herein, we focused on the structural characteristics and functional implications of airborne bacteria under different pollution levels in Beijing and Shanghai. The α- and β-diversities showed no obvious difference in two cities (p > 0.05). The dominant phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria with total abundance of over 92% were found in all PM2.5 samples. The results of weighted unifrac non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) suggested that air pollution was no obviously correlated with bacterial community but dispersed disorderly. Furthermore, canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and permutation test indicated that NH4+, SO42-, and wind speed were the key factors that associated with airborne bacterial community structure. Chemical components of particulate matter played more important role in structuring bacterial community than meteorological conditions based on the result of partial CCA. In addition, the annotation of metabolic pathway suggested that the predominant genus Pseudomonas was obviously correlated with disease infections. Several dominant species might contribute to organic degradation, nitrogen cycles, and ice-nuclei activities in environments. Overall, this work enhanced our understanding of functions of airborne bacteria and highlighted their potential role in atmospheric chemical progresses.

Abstract Due to the inherent disorder and fluidity of water, precise machining of water through laser cutting are challenging. Herein we report a strategy that realizes the laser cutting machining of water through constructing hydrophobic silica nanoparticle-encased water pancakes with sub-millimeter depth. Through theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and experimental studies, the developed process of nanoparticle-encased water pancake laser cutting and the parameters that affect cutting accuracy are verified and elucidated. We demonstrate that laser-fabricated water patterns can form diverse self-supporting chips (SSCs) with openness, transparency, breathability, liquid morphology, and liquid flow control properties. Applications of laser-fabricated SSCs to various fields, including chemical synthesis, biochemical sensing, liquid metal manipulation, patterned hydrogel synthesis, and drug screening, are also conceptually demonstrated. This work provides a strategy for precisely machining water using laser cutting, addressing existing laser machining challenges and holding significance for widespread fields involving fluid patterning and flow control in biological, chemical, materials and biomedical research.