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Mechanical stimuli play crucial roles in bone remodeling and resorption. Osteopontin (OPN), a marker for osteoblasts, is important in cell communication and matrix mineralization, and is known to function during mechanotransduction. Hypergravity is a convenient approach to forge mechanical stimuli on cells. It has positive effects on certain markers of osteoblast maturation, making it a possible strategy for bone tissue engineering. We investigated the effects of hypergravity on OPN expression and cell signaling in osteoblasts. Hypergravity treatment at 20 g for 24 hours upregulated OPN expression in MC3T3-E1 cells at the protein as well as mRNA level. Hypergravity promoted OPN expression by facilitating focal adhesion assembly, strengthening actin bundles, and increasing Runx2 expression. In the hypergravity-triggered OPN expression pathway, focal adhesion assembly-associated FAK phosphorylation was upstream of actin bundle assembly.

Objectives To explore influencing factors for postoperative urinary retention (POUR) in cervical cancer patients and construct and validate a POUR prediction model.Design A prospective cohort study.Setting A large tertiary hospital specialised in child and maternal healthcare in Southwest China.Participants 1101 patients undergoing cervical cancer surgery at our hospital were enrolled in the analytic cohort between 1 July 2022 and 31 July 2023. Another 205 patients were enrolled in the external validation cohort between 1 August 2023 and 31 October 2023. Demographics and disease-related information were collected to construct a risk prediction model by logistic regression. Univariate analyses and a multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted to determine possible influencing factors. The discrimination and accuracy of the model were assessed by the area under the curve (AUC) and the concordance index, respectively.Results Univariate analysis identified duration of surgery, intraoperative bleeding, presence of diabetes, hypertension, ureteral adhesion, wound healing classification, preoperative radio/chemotherapy, category of Body Mass Index, history of urinary diseases, history of caesarean section, postoperative urinary infection and use of analgesia pumps as potential influencing factors (p

Objectives To explore the postsurgery lived experiences of patients with colorectal cancer with a permanent ostomy for informing initiatives to improve patient care and future quantitative research.Design A descriptive qualitative phenomenological study.Setting We conducted this study in the Colorectal Cancer Division at the Cancer Center of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, a premier institution renowned for its comprehensive cancer care and research.Participants 12 patients who had undergone surgeries for colorectal cancer with a permanent ostomy.Results Our interviews revealed profound adjustments in the lives of colorectal cancer survivors living with permanent ostomies. Participants articulated a transition to a ‘new normal’, characterised by extensive daily life adjustments, psychological adaptation and ongoing management challenges. Key themes identified included the adaptation to a reshaped daily routine and altered perceptions of quality of life. Many faced substantial challenges in stoma care, requiring significant learning and adaptation. Psychological adaptations were marked by a redefinition of body autonomy and personal identity, alongside a recalibration of social interactions and privacy. The need for robust professional guidance and a comprehensive social support system was universally emphasised.Conclusions Patients with colorectal cancer with permanent ostomies navigate significant changes in their lives postsurgery, undertaking a complex process of reconstructing and adapting to a new normalcy. They recalibrate their physical, psychological and social well-being, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the face of these challenges. Their pervasive expression of needs for information and support may reflect gaps in the existing patient education and support measures and communication strategies. Healthcare professionals and policy-makers should adopt a patient-centred approach acknowledging the multifaceted nature of postsurgery recovery and adaptation by fostering open communication, tailoring personalised education and facilitating supportive community networks.

Objectives To explore the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by Chinese gynaecological oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy and discuss measures to address the existing gaps.Design Qualitative phenomenology. Semistructured in-depth interview. Colaizzi’s method data analysis.Setting A tertiary general hospital.Participants 16 gynaecological oncology patients (mean age 51.7) having undergone ≥1 chemotherapy cycle were recruited by purposive sampling.Results Six themes were generated. The participants were under-informed about CAM concept and options. They were open to explore various modalities after chemotherapy as long as it could alleviate symptoms. The gynaecological patients with cancer sought information about CAM from diverse sources, with professional expertise being the most desirable way to seek information. They used CAM as a strategy to support continued chemotherapy and for symptom alleviation. Financial burden was not stressed but they had concerns about sustainability of some therapies. Their attitudes toward different CAM types varied. Some were sceptical about the efficacy.Conclusions The Chinese gynaecological oncology patients may be under-informed about CAM. They are open to use various CAM therapies for symptom relief and as a support strategy. However, their attitudes toward specific therapies may vary. Some may host scepticism about certain CAM modalities. The patients actively seek information on CAM and treatment resources but prefer professional expertise to other sources. Financial burden due to continued CAM use is inconclusive due to possible sampling bias. Sustainability of CAM therapies is a common concern because of limited resources and access. Education on CAM should be incorporated into the curriculum of healthcare professionals. Oncologists and nurses should educate gynaecological patients with cancer on the concept and options of CAM, preferably with information tailored to patient’s individual needs. Health authorities should advocate provisions of diverse CAM services and develop the necessary technologies such as network of local care resources.

Abstract The variable role and fate of soil colloids under different environmental conditions are derived from their dispersion and aggregation properties. In this work, dynamic and static light scattering were used to characterize the original size, aggregation kinetics of natural black soil colloids (BSCs) and structural features of aggregates in electrolytes with different cations (K+, Mg2+, Ca2+), respectively. For these three cations, the aggregation kinetics followed the trend of Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ and the critical coagulation concentration (CCC) followed the sequence: K+ (134.30 mmol L−1) > Mg2+ (13.27 mmol L−1) > Ca2+ (4.19 mmol L−1). The results indicated that the aggregation behavior in different valence cation systems followed the classical Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) model qualitatively. However, the quantitative differences of CCC suggest the existence of ion-specific effects. The effective ionic charge coefficient 1.31, 2.20, and 2.78 of K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ were proposed to consider of all the non-DLVO factors, which were obtained by forming a relationship based on mathematic between the electrostatic repulsion and the van der Waals attractive interaction at the CCC. The non-classical polarization of cations in a strong soil electric field is a primary mechanism of cation effects on soil colloid interactions, causing the difference in colloid interaction energy and further affecting soil colloid aggregation. This result is crucial for enriching the theory of charged colloidal interactions.

Abstract The 2017 NCCN Guidelines for NSCLC recommend epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) as the first‐line treatment for patients with gene‐sensitive mutations of pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The TKI combination can effectively inhibit the gene mutations caused by the drug resistance and enhance the antitumor effect. However, more clinical investigations are required of the efficacy and the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of this combination. A 62‐year‐old female patient diagnosed as lung adenocarcinoma with brain metastasis, meningeal metastasis, multiple bone metastasis, and liver metastasis was treated with the combination of gefitinib and osimertinib. Evident improvement was observed after 10 days of combined treatment with these tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), including in the CT features and symptoms. The level of tumor marker CEA decreased significantly after 40 days. However, severe stomatitis occurred after 49 days. By analyzing the relationship between stomatitis and TKI combined treatment based on the temporal correlation, instructions and literature reports, mechanisms, and reaction, we discovered that the combination of the two TKI drugs can increase the incidence and severity of severe stomatitis. Following targeted treatment and drug withdrawal, the patient fully recovered. TKI combination may increase the incidence and severity of stomatitis, suggesting that closely care and timely withdrawal are necessary measures.