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In order to prepare highly crystalline and stable metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) nanoparticles in a straightforward and low cost method, trimesic acid was depronated by three equivalent NaOH in water, and mixed with ferrous salts (e.g. FeCl2 and Fe(OAc)) solution under vigorous stirring for 24h at room temperature. The morphology and photocatalytic activity of the obtained MIL-100(Fe) nanoparticles were fully characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that the MIL-100(Fe) nanoparticles exhibit excellent photocatalytic performance toward high concentrated Rhodamine B (RhB) and methyl orange (MO) organic dyes in the presence of H2O2 as a co-catalyst under UV light irradiation.

We consider a generalized e-vector equilibrium problem which contain vector equilibrium problems and vector variational inequalities as special cases. By using the KKM theorem, we obtain some existence theorems for the generalized e-vector equilibrium problem. We also investigate the duality of this generalized e-vector equilibrium problem and discuss the equivalence relation between solutions of primal and dual problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to fuels by light is of research interest owing to its relevance to environment and energy concerns. In this work, a hybrid H-TiO2–rGO–Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl composite consisting of a rhenium 2,2′-bipyridine compound, Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl, which was covalently grafted on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and hydrogenated TiO2 (H-TiO2) was prepared. H-TiO2–rGO–Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl demonstrated high efficiency for visible light photo-conversion of CO2 into CO in triethanolamine/N,N-dimethylformamide (V:V = 1:9) solution with total turnover numbers larger than 580. In addition, the composite showed high stability with no leveling-off tendency after four catalytic experimental runs. The experimental results indicate that the suitable assembly of the Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl, rGO, and H-TiO2 components in the H-TiO2–rGO–Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl composite is necessary for the observed high performance of the catalyst for CO2 reduction under visible light irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional periodic diagram method is primarily used to solve ground motion coherence coefficients. However, in this method, power spectra need to be artificially smoothed, which will result in an abhorrent situation. To solve this key problem, this study uses the dynamic centrifuge model test results with a circular tunnel completed by Schofield Centre (University of Cambridge) as the basic data. The multidimensional autoregressive (AR) model is used to replace the periodic diagram method for computation, and its rationality is evaluated and verified from many perspectives. The difference between the results of the two methods under the condition of tunnel sites in multiple dimensions is discussed from the perspectives of the reconstruction effect, coherence coefficient, and the site amplification effect of records. The results are as follows: The multidimensional AR model can realize the accurate reconstruction of strong motion acceleration records. The coherence coefficient calculated by the AR model is generally smoother than that calculated by the periodic diagram method, which is conducive to fitting and inducing the parameters of empirical models in subsequent research. Under EQ1–EQ4, the ground motion amplification coefficient of each vibration mode first decreases and then increases from the base to the surface. The AR model is more effective than the periodic diagram method in reflecting the importance of the influence of higher-order modes on site amplification. • The coherence function and site amplification effect are calculated by autoregressive model. • The amplification effect in tunnel site with depth is revealed. • The advantages and disadvantages of autoregressive model and periodic diagram method are compared in different aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the service performance of IN718 alloy under severe working conditions, the self-lubricating composite coating of Ni60-SiC/Ti 3 SiC 2 was fabricated on its surface using laser cladding. By systematically analyzing the microstructure and properties of composite coatings, the wear mechanism at different temperatures and the oxidation behavior at 800 °C of coatings were discussed in depth. The results demonstrate that an increase in coatings' microhardness by a factor of 1.9–3.1 over IN718 was achieved, benefiting from the fine-grained and solid-solution strengthening actions, and the hard phases such as C 23 C 6 , Ni 3 Si, TiC distributed diffusely inside the coatings. The tribological performance of coatings was also significantly improved, in which the coating with 10 wt% Ti 3 SiC 2 added had the lowest wear rates of 2.13 and 3.57 × 10−5 mm3/N·m at RT and 600 °C, respectively, which were reduced by 82.74 % and 87.43 % compared to the substrate. When the test temperature changes from RT to 600 °C, the main wear form of coatings changes from adhesive and abrasive wear to oxidative wear. With the Ti 3 SiC 2 content increasing, the oxide film is gradually dense and uniform, and the oxidation resistance is significantly improved. • The Ni60-SiC/Ti 3 SiC 2 composite coating with good metallurgical bonding was fabricated on the IN718 surface by laser cladding. • The wear resistance of coatings was improved by an order of magnitude compared to the substrate at RT and 600 °C. • The wear mechanisms of coatings at different temperatures were deeply discussed, and the wear sub-surfaces were analyzed. • The oxidation resistance of composite coatings is significantly improved over the substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To satisfy the need for high wear resistance of Inconel718 alloy under harsh working conditions, laser cladding technique was adopted to fabricate the Cu/Ti 3 SiC 2 -CoCrW metal matrix composite coatings on that surface. The phase composition, microstructure, microhardness, surface energy, and tribological properties of the composite coatings were systematically analyzed by characterization methods such as XRD/ SEM/ EDS/ XPS and performance test methods such as high-temperature friction and wear test, and the wear mechanism at different temperatures was deeply discussed. The research results indicate that the microhardness of coatings is increased by 2.2–2.9 times compared to the substrate, which is mainly owing to the solid solution strengthening effect and the diffusely distributed hard reinforcing phases such as Cr 7 C 3 , WC x , and TiC. Regarding the wear resistance, the wear rate of coatings is significantly reduced by 1–2 orders of magnitude over the substrate. Among them, the Co-based coating adding 10 wt% Cu - 10 wt% Ti 3 SiC 2 exhibited the lowest wear rates at room and high temperatures, which were 0.22 and 3.23 × 10−5 mm3/ N·m, respectively, with 98.22 % and 88.19 % reductions in comparison with the substrate. The low surface energy (27.94 mN/m) was one of the main reasons for the good tribological properties. When the friction environment changes from room temperature to 600 °C, the primary wear mechanism of coatings changes from abrasive and adhesive wear to oxidative wear. • The diffraction peaks of Cu, TiC and Ti 3 SiC 2 can be detected in the composite coating after adding Cu/Ti 3 SiC 2. • Compared to the Inconel718 substrate, the wear resistance of coatings is significantly improved by 1-2 orders of magnitude. • The wear mechanism of coatings was systematically analyzed and the friction pair and wear subsurfaces were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brain metastasis (BM) is thought to be related to the mortality and poor prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite promising development of NSCLC treatment, the treatment of NSCLC BM is still not optimistic due to the existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that prevent drug penetration, as well as the short median survival time of the patients left for treatment. In this context, further development of quick and effective pre-clinical models is needed in NSCLC BM treatment. Here, we report a model system using zebrafish to promote the development of drugs for patients with NSCLC BM. Methods: Three different NSCLC cell lines (H1975, A549 and H1299) were used to establish zebrafish BM models. The embryo age and cell number for injection were first optimized. Metastatic cells were observed in the brain blood vessels of zebrafish and were verified by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Then, the metastasis potentials of H1975 and A549 with manipulated microRNA-330-3p (miR-330-3p) expression were also investigated. Finally, sensitivities of H1975 and A549 to osimertinib and gefitinib were tested. Results: This zebrafish BM model could distinguish NSCLC cell lines with different BM potential. Over-expressed miR-330-p significantly improved the BM potential of the A549 cells while knockdown miR-330-p reduced the BM ability of the H1975 cells. Both osimertinib and gefitinib showed inhibition effect in zebrafish BM model with the inhibition rate higher than 50 %. H1975 cell showed much higher sensitivity to osimertinib rather than gefitinib both in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions: We established zebrafish brain metastasis model for studying mechanism and treatment of NSCLC BM. This study provided a useful model for NSCLC brain metastasis that could be used to study the mechanism that drive NSCLC cells to the brain as well as identify potential therapeutic options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Microgrid optimal dispatch to reduce costs, carbon emissions and power fluctuation. • The multi-objective optimization algorithm based on war strategy. • Pareto frontier sort based on membership degree. • Reasonable allocation of new energy and energy storage. This article introduces a novel metaheuristic multi-objective optimization algorithm to address the complex multi-objective optimization scheduling challenges of the microgrids for the first time. Comparing with common multi-objective optimization algorithms, the proposed Multi-Objective War Strategy Optimization (MOWSO) has the following highlights: 1) MOWSO only needs to set three parameters. The few parameters make the algorithm simple to debug and real-world implement in practical applications. 2) MOWSO avoids the local centralized distribution of Pareto frontier based on a random selection strategy. The selection range of multiple objectives is expanded properly. In addition, a comprehensive multi-objective optimization dispatch model for microgrids is established, concurrently considering operating costs, carbon emissions, and power fluctuations. Furthermore, the impact of new energy proportion and Energy Storage (ES) on microgrid optimal dispatch is thoroughly investigated. Finally, a case study about a village microgrid in North China is presented to validate the effectiveness and the superiority of proposed multi-objective optimization dispatch model and novel MOWSO algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Middle-aged mice showed enhanced meningeal lymphatic function with MLVs expansion. Age-related changes in the function of MLVs are closely associated to the expression of VEGF-C in the cerebral cortex. Moreover, the cognitive function was enhanced in middle-aged mice compared to young and aged mice. These results indicate that the cerebral cortex may serve as a target for VEGF-C supplementation to ameliorate meningeal lymphatic dysfunction. MLVs, meningeal lymphatic vessels; VEGF-C, vascular endothelial growth factor-C. [Display omitted] • Middle-aged mice show improved meningeal lymphatic function and MLV expansion. • The middle-aged mice performed better in the Y maze test. • Age-related changes in meningeal lymphatic function are associated with VEGF-C expression. Meningeal lymphatic vessels (MLVs) have crucial roles in removing metabolic waste and toxic proteins from the brain and transporting them to the periphery. Aged mice show impaired meningeal lymphatic function. Nevertheless, as the disease progresses, and significant pathological changes manifest in the brain, treating the condition becomes increasingly challenging. Therefore, investigating the alterations in the structure and function of MLVs in the early stages of aging is critical for preventing age-related central nervous system degenerative diseases. We detected the structure and function of MLVs in young, middle-aged, and aged mice. Middle-aged mice, compared with young and aged mice, showed enhanced meningeal lymphatic function along with MLV expansion and performed better in the Y maze test. Moreover, age-related changes in meningeal lymphatic function were closely associated with vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression in the brain cortex. Our data suggested that the cerebral cortex may serve as a target for VEGF-C supplementation to ameliorate meningeal lymphatic dysfunction, thus providing a new strategy for preventing age-related central nervous system diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of intraspecific trait variability (ITV) to the spatial distribution of individual species is unclear. We hypothesized that intraspecific trait dispersions underlying niche processes deviate more from null model expectations, by reducing their spread (range and variance), kurtosis, and standard deviation of near-neighbor distance, for species with aggregated than those with random distributions. The link between species’ spatial distributions and ITV patterns was examined using an individual tree-based trait data set, in which specific leaf area, mean leaf area, leaf dry matter content, and diameter at breast height were measured for 18,773 stems of 45 species in a 4.84 ha mapped subtropical forest plot in China. The nearest-neighbor distance analysis showed that, of 45 species, 14 species were distributed in random and 31 species were distributed in aggregation, while no species was distributed in uniform in the plot. The dispersions of all studied traits in species with an aggregated distribution on average deviated more strongly from the null expectation than those in species with a random distribution and that the extent of deviation was negatively associated with the degree of spatial randomness across species. Our results indicate that niche processes are primarily responsible for the spatial structure of species with aggregated distributions, while stochastic processes drive those with random distributions. Our results highlight the fundamental role of ITV in shaping spatial patterns of co-existing species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through employing the in situ acylation of N 2 H 4 with ODPA (ODPA = 4,4′-oxydiphthalic dianhydride), three diacylhydrazidate-extended coordination polymers, M(ODPTH)(H 2 O) 3 (M = Fe ( 1 ), Co ( 2 ), Ni ( 3 ); ODPTH = 4,4′-oxydiphthalhydrazidate), were obtained under solvothermal conditions. The X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis reveals that compounds 1 , 2 and 3 are isomorphous and feature 1D double chain structures that are further connected through O–H⋯O hydrogen bonds into 3D supramolecular networks, which are stabilized by two kinds of offset face-to-face π⋯π interactions. All of title compounds were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, X-ray power diffraction and TG analysis. Furthermore, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibilities of compounds 1 , 2 and 3 indicate that there exist antiferromagnetic interactions between Fe(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) ions, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. Concerns raised by Dr. Sander Kersten in PubPeer pointed out that Figs. 6.1B and 6.2B of this paper were different figures but the legends and Western blots were identical; the quantification was also seen to be different between the two figures. Shortly afterwards, the authors asked to publish a corrigendum for part B of Fig. 6.1, including images of western blots and associated bar plots. Subsequently, the journal conducted an investigation and found evidence that there had been improper manipulation and duplication of images in Fig. 2 E, 6.2 B, 5 A and and 6.2 D, as shown by the reuse of several western blot bands with approximately 180° rotation in each case. After raising the complaint with the authors, the corresponding author agreed that the paper should be retracted. The authors apologise to the readers of the journal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subtropical forests are globally important in providing ecological goods and services, but it is not clear whether functional diversity and composition can predict aboveground biomass in such forests. We hypothesized that high aboveground biomass is associated with high functional divergence (FDvar, i.e., niche complementarity) and community-weighted mean (CWM, i.e., mass ratio; communities dominated by a single plant strategy) of trait values. Structural equation modeling was employed to determine the direct and indirect effects of stand age and the residual effects of CWM and FDvar on aboveground biomass across 31 plots in secondary forests in subtropical China. The CWM model accounted for 78, 20, 6 and 2% of the variation in aboveground biomass, nitrogen concentration in young leaf, plant height and specific leaf area of young leaf, respectively. The FDvar model explained 74, 13, 7 and 0% of the variation in aboveground biomass, plant height, twig wood density and nitrogen concentration in young leaf, respectively. The variation in aboveground biomass, CWM of leaf nitrogen concentration and specific leaf area, and FDvar of plant height, twig wood density and nitrogen concentration in young leaf explained by the joint model was 86, 20, 13, 7, 2 and 0%, respectively. Stand age had a strong positive direct effect but low indirect positive effects on aboveground biomass. Aboveground biomass was negatively related to CWM of nitrogen concentration in young leaf, but positively related to CWM of specific leaf area of young leaf and plant height, and FDvar of plant height, twig wood density and nitrogen concentration in young leaf. Leaf and wood economics spectra are decoupled in regulating the functionality of forests, communities with diverse species but high nitrogen conservative and light acquisitive strategies result in high aboveground biomass, and hence, supporting both the mass ratio and niche complementarity hypotheses in secondary subtropical forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Accumulating evidence suggests that microRNA-590 (miR-590) has protective effects on cardiovascular diseases, but the mechanism is unknown. Interestingly, previous studies from our laboratory and others have shown that macrophage-derived lipoprotein lipase (LPL) might accelerate atherosclerosis by promoting lipid accumulation and inflammatory response. However, the regulation of LPL at the post-transcriptional level by microRNAs has not been fully understood. In this study, we explored whether miR-590 affects the expression of LPL and its potential subsequent effects on lipid accumulation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in human THP-1 macrophages. Methods and results Using bioinformatics analyses and dual-luciferase reporter assays, we found that miR-590 directly inhibited LPL protein and mRNA expression by targeting LPL 3′UTR. LPL Activity Assays showed that miR-590 reduced LPL activity in the culture media. Oil Red O staining and high-performance liquid chromatography assays showed that miR-590 had inhibitory effects on the lipid accumulation in human THP-1 macrophages. We also illustrated that miR-590 alleviated pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in human THP-1 macrophages as measured by ELISA. With the method of small interfering RNA, we found that LPL siRNA can inhibit the miR-590 inhibitor-induced increase in lipid accumulation and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in oxLDL-treated human THP-1 macrophages. Conclusions MiR-590 attenuates lipid accumulation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion by targeting LPL gene in human THP-1 macrophages. Therefore, targeting miR-590 may offer a promising strategy to treat atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Rationale: Macrophage cholesterol homeostasis maintenance is the result of a balance between influx, endogenous synthesis, esterification/hydrolysis and efflux. Excessive accumulation of cholesterol leads to foam cell formation, which is the major pathology of atherosclerosis. Previous studies have shown that miR-27 (miR-27a and miR-27b) may play a key role in the progression of atherosclerosis. Objective: We set out to investigate the molecular mechanisms of miR-27a/b in intracellular cholesterol homeostasis. Methods and results: In the present study, our results have shown that the miR-27 family is highly conserved during evolution, present in mammals and directly targets the 3′ UTR of ABCA1, LPL, and ACAT1. apoA1, ABCG1 and SR-B1 lacking miR-27 bind sites should not be influenced by miR-27 directly. miR-27a and miR-27b directly regulated the expression of endogenous ABCA1 in different cells. Treatment with miR-27a and miR-27b mimics reduced apoA1-mediated cholesterol efflux by 33.08% and 44.61% in THP-1 cells, respectively. miR-27a/b also regulated HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophages and affected the expression of apoA1 in HepG2 cells. However, miR-27a/b had no effect on total cellular cholesterol accumulation, but regulated the levels of cellular free cholesterol and cholesterol ester. We further found that miR-27a/b regulated the expression of LPL and CD36, and then affected the ability of THP-1 macrophages to uptake Dil-oxLDL. Finally, we identified that miR-27a/b regulated cholesterol ester formation by targeting ACAT1 in THP-1 macrophages. Conclusion: These findings indicate that miR-27a/b affects the efflux, influx, esterification and hydrolysis of cellular cholesterol by regulating the expression of ABCA1, apoA1, LPL, CD36 and ACAT1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Petersen's hernia occurring through the epiploic foramen of the greater omentum, is an uncommon type of internal hernia. When it presents with complications such as chylous ascites, which is the lymphatic fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, it is particularly rare. Following laparoscopic total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y anastomosis, the incidence of this condition is exceedingly low., Case Summary: A 62-year-old male patient developed Petersen's hernia following laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) for gastric cancer, after Roux-en-Y anastomosis. Intestinal torsion and obstruction were experienced by the patient, along with a small amount of chylous ascites. Imaging studies and clinical assessment confirmed the diagnosis. Emergency surgery was performed promptly for the patient in the operating room. The twisted small intestine was reduced and the defect in Petersen's space was repaired. The procedure was successful in the correction of the intestinal torsion and approximation of the hernia without the need for bowel resection. The patient's condition significantly improved following the surgery. The ascites evolved from a milky white appearance to a pale yellow, with a substantial decrease in the triglyceride levels in the ascitic fluid, implying a favorable recovery trajectory. The patient was monitored closely and received appropriate care postoperatively, including nutritional support and fluid management., Conclusion: This report illustrates the significance of recognizing Petersen's hernia as a potential complication following gastrectomy for gastric cancer. It highlights the fundamental role of early surgical intervention in the effective management of such complications. The favorable outcome in this patient illustrates that prompt and appropriate surgical management can deter the necessity for more extensive procedures such as bowel resection., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article., (©The Author(s) 2025. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interest in this communication.

Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest in this communication.

Severe burns are a significant cause of life-threatening conditions in both peacetime and wartime. Shock is a critical complication during the early stages of burn injury, contributing substantially to mortality and long-term disability. Effective fluid resuscitation is crucial for preventing and treating shock, with prompt administration being vital. However, timely intravenous fluid resuscitation is often challenging, and errors in resuscitation significantly contribute to mortality. Therefore, exploring a more rapid and effective non-invasive method of fluid resuscitation is necessary. Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) has shown considerable potential in this regard. This paper reviews ORT's historical development and current research progress, discussing its application in early anti-shock treatment for burns. While ORT is generally safe, potential complications like diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort must be noted, particularly if the rehydration rate is too rapid or if gastrointestinal issues exist. Careful patient assessment and monitoring are essential during ORT administration. Based on a comprehensive review of relevant research, we present provisional guidelines for ORT in burn patients. These guidelines aim to inform clinical practice but should be applied cautiously due to limited clinical evidence. Implementation must be tailored to the patient's condition under healthcare supervision, with adjustments according to evolving circumstances: ① Initiation timing: Start as soon as possible, and the ideal start time is usually within 6 h after injury. ② Rate of application: Employing a fractional administration approach, wherein small quantities of approximately 150-250 millilitres are provided for each instance and the initial fluid rate of oral rehydration can be simplified to 100 mL/kg/24 h. ③ Composition combination: In addition to essential salts and glucose, the oral rehydration solution can incorporate various anti-inflammatory and cellular protection constituents., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd and International Society of Burns Injuries. All rights reserved.)

Background: Secondary unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity is a prevalent condition in the world, and surgical repair remains a formidable challenge. The objective of the study is to investigate functionally and aesthetically outcomes of a new technique using a complex of autologous costal cartilage and fascia grafts to repair the secondary unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity., Methods: First, the autologous costal cartilage and fascia were harvested from a total of 34 patients with secondary unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity, who were undergoing treatments at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from April 2020 to June 2023. Then, the cartilage was sub-divided into 6 pieces and placed on the depressed alar base, nasal columella, lower lateral cartilage, and nasal tip. At the same time, the fascia was trimmed to cover the nasal tip cap graft and augment the dorsum of the nose. Patient outcomes were assessed through subjective evaluation and objective anthropometric measurements. In addition, associated complications were also examined., Results: All were primary healing incisions, and no patients were encountered with any clinical complications. We found that the overall mean score of the Independent Rhinoplasty Outcome Score (IROS) was very good during the subjective assessment. Also, the objective measurements indicated an excellent nasal symmetry. Furthermore, both functionally and aesthetically satisfactory outcomes were obtained in all the patients during long-time follow-up., Conclusions: Secondary rhinoplasty using the complex of autologous costal cartilage and fascia grafts is a safe and effective approach for unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity repair., (Copyright © 2024 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The presence of a right-sided sigmoid colon is a rare anatomical variation usually discovered incidentally during surgical interventions. This case report details an unexpected right-sided sigmoid colon identified during a laparoscopic appendectomy and examines the pertinent literature to explore its clinical importance., Case Summary: A 71-year-old woman presented with acute appendicitis. A preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan showed peri-appendiceal inflammation but no significant anatomical abnormalities. During laparoscopic surgery, an unexpected finding was encountered: The sigmoid colon was situated on the right side and exhibited an abnormal relationship with the cecum and ascending colon. Postoperative pathological examination confirmed appendicitis with no additional pathological findings. The right-sided sigmoid colon anomaly was verified through intraoperative assessment and later re-evaluation with CT and colonographic imaging. The patient underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy and experienced a smooth postoperative recovery., Conclusion: This case highlights the necessity of being attentive to anatomical variations during laparoscopic surgery, particularly when managing appendicitis. A review of the literature indicated that the occurrence of a right-sided sigmoid colon is infrequent and may be associated with anomalies in midgut rotation during embryonic development. Awareness of this variation can help prevent surgical complications and inform future clinical practice., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Several recent studies have confirmed that intratumoural microorganisms can affect the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, their role in tumor progression remains unclear. Hence, there is a need for further research on the role of intratumoural microorganisms in HCC., Aim: To investigate the changes in intratumoural microorganisms in HCC and the effect of Propionibacterium on HCC progression., Methods: HCC and normal liver tissue specimens were subjected to fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). After performing 16S rRNA sequencing on HCC and peritumoral tissues to analyze the differences between the two groups. Propionibacterium was cocultured with HCC cells in vitro . Changes in cell proliferation and migration capacity were evaluated. The expression of NF-κB pathway related proteins in tumor cells was compared. The orthotopic liver implantation model and the subcutaneous xenograft model were constructed. liver tissues and subcutaneous tumors were collected 2 weeks later., Results: FISH demonstrated the presence of microorganisms in HCC and normal liver tissues. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed an abundance of Lysobacter , Lachnospiraceae , Pseudomonas , and Lactobacillus in HCC tissues. The distribution and abundance of Propionibacterium showed differences between HCC and peritumoral tissues ( P < 0.05). In vitro studies demonstrated that Propionibacterium and its metabolite propionic acid (PA) inhibited the proliferation and migration of HCC cells ( P < 0.05). The expression of the proteins in NF-κB signaling pathway also decreased in HCC cells ( P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Microorganisms in HCC and normal liver tissues displayed significant disparities. The PA-producing bacterium Propionibacterium in HCC exerts an effect on the NF-κB pathway, thereby affecting the biological behavior of HCC., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: All the Authors have no conflict of interest related to the manuscript., (©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Purpose: In recent years, there has been extensive research on the role of exercise as an adjunctive therapy for cancer. However, the potential mechanisms underlying the anti-tumor therapy of exercise in lung cancer remain to be fully elucidated. As such, our study aims to confirm whether exercise-induced elevation of epinephrine can accelerate CD8 + T cell recruitment through modulation of chemokines and thus ultimately inhibit tumor progression., Method: C57BL/6 mice were subcutaneously inoculated with Lewis lung cancer cells (LLCs) to establish a subcutaneous tumor model. The tumor mice were randomly divided into different groups to performed a moderate-intensity exercise program on a treadmill for 5 consecutive days a week, 45 min a day. The blood samples and tumor tissues were collected after exercise for IHC, RT-qPCR, ELISA and Western blot. In addition, another group of mice received daily epinephrine treatment for two weeks (0.05 mg/mL, 200 µL i.p.) (EPI, n = 8) to replicate the effects of exercise on tumors in vivo. Lewis lung cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of epinephrine (0, 5, 10, 20 µM) to detect the effect of epinephrine on chemokine levels via ELISA and RT-qPCR., Results: This study reveals that both pre- and post-cancer exercise effectively impede the tumor progression. Exercise led to an increase in EPI levels and the infiltration of CD8 + T cell into the lung tumor. Exercise-induced elevation of EPI is involved in the regulation of Ccl5 and Cxcl10 levels further leading to enhanced CD8 + T cell infiltration and ultimately inhibiting tumor progression., Conclusion: Exercise training enhance the anti-tumor immunity of lung cancer individuals. These findings will provide valuable insights for the future application of exercise therapy in clinical practice., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Premise: Previous work searching for sexual dimorphism has largely relied on the comparison of trait mean vectors between sexes in dioecious plants. Whether trait scaling (i.e., the ratio of proportional changes in covarying traits) differs between sexes, along with its functional significance, remains unclear., Methods: We measured 10 vegetative traits pertaining to carbon, water, and nutrient economics across 337 individuals (157 males and 180 females) of the diocious species Eurya japonica during the fruiting season in eastern China. Piecewise structural equation modeling was employed to reveal the scaling relationships of multiple interacting traits, and multivariate analysis of (co)variance was conducted to test for intersexual differences., Results: There was no sexual dimorphism in terms of trait mean vectors across the 10 vegetative traits in E. japonica. Moreover, most relationships for covarying trait pairs (17 out of 19) exhibited common scaling slopes between sexes. However, the scaling slopes for leaf phosphorus (P) vs. nitrogen (N) differed between sexes, with 5.6- and 3.0-fold increases of P coinciding with a 10-fold increase of N in male and female plants, respectively., Conclusions: The lower ratio of proportional changes in P vs. N for females likely reflects stronger P limitation for their vegetative growth, as they require greater P investments in fruiting. Therefore, P vs. N scaling can be a key avenue allowing for sex-specific strategic optimization under unequal reproductive requirements. This study uncovers a hidden aspect of secondary sex character in dioecious plants, and highlights the use of trait scaling to understand sex-defined economic strategies., (© 2024 Botanical Society of America.)

The construction of quaternary carbon centers via C-C coupling protocols remains challenging. The coupling of tertiary C(sp 3 ) with secondary or tertiary C(sp 3 ) counterparts has been hindered by pronounced steric clashes and many side reactions. Herein, we have successfully developed a type of bisphosphine ligand iron complex-catalyzed coupling reactions of tertiary alkyl halides with secondary alkyl zinc reagents and efficiently realized the coupling reaction between tertiary C(sp 3 ) and secondary C(sp 3 ) with high selectivity for the initial instance, which provided an efficient method for the construction of quaternary carbon centers with high steric hindrance. The combination of an iron catalyst and directing group of the substrate makes the great challenging transformation possible.

Bergenin is a typical carbon glycoside and the primary active ingredient in antitussive drugs widely prescribed for central cough inhibition in China. The bergenin extraction industry relies on the medicinal plant species Bergenia purpurascens and Ardisia japonica as their resources. However, the bergenin biosynthetic pathway in plants remains elusive. In this study, we functionally characterized a shikimate dehydrogenase (SDH), two O -methyltransferases (OMTs), and a C- glycosyltransferase (CGT) involved in bergenin synthesis through bioinformatics analysis, heterologous expression, and enzymatic characterization. We found that BpSDH2 catalyzes the two-step dehydrogenation process of shikimic acid to form gallic acid (GA). BpOMT1 and AjOMT1 facilitate the methylation reaction at the 4-OH position of GA, resulting in the formation of 4- O- methyl gallic acid (4- O -Me-GA). AjCGT1 transfers a glucose moiety to C- 2 to generate 2-Glucosyl-4- O -methyl gallic acid (2-Glucosyl-4- O -Me-GA). Bergenin production ultimately occurs in acidic conditions or via dehydration catalyzed by plant dehydratases following a ring-closure reaction. This study for the first time uncovered the biosynthetic pathway of bergenin, paving the way to rational production of bergenin in cell factories via synthetic biology strategies., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Liu, Wang, Du, Chen, Liu, Feng, Xiang, Zhang, Lu, Yang, Zhang and Hao.)

Background: An unusual case of acute acquired concomitant esotropia (AACE) with congenital paralytic strabismus in the right eye is reported., Case Summary: A 23-year-old woman presented with complaints of binocular diplopia and esotropia of the right eye lasting 4 years and head tilt to the left since 1 year after birth. The Bielschowsky head tilt test showed right hypertropia on a right head tilt. She did not report any other intracranial pathology. A diagnosis of AACE and right congenital paralytic strabismus was made. Then, she underwent medial rectus muscle recession and lateral rectus muscle resection combined with inferior oblique muscle myectomy in the right eye. One day after surgery, the patient reported that she had no diplopia at either distance or near fixation and was found to be orthophoric in the primary position; furthermore, her head posture immediately and markedly improved., Conclusion: In future clinical work, in cases of AACE combined with other types of strabismus, we can perform conventional single surgery for both at the same time, and the two types of strabismus can be solved simultaneously., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (©The Author(s) 2023. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is a rare malignant tumor of the esophagus, and its combination with squamous cell carcinoma is also rare. Here, we report the diagnosis and treatment of a case of primary esophageal malignant melanoma combined with squamous cell carcinoma., Case Summary: A middle-aged man underwent gastroscopy for dysphagia. Gastroscopy revealed multiple bulging esophageal lesions, and after pathologic and immunohistochemical analyses, the patient was finally diagnosed with "malignant melanoma with squamous cell carcinoma". This patient received comprehensive treatment. After one year of follow-up, the patient was in good condition, and the esophageal lesions seen on gastroscopy were controlled, but unfortunately, liver metastasis occurred., Conclusion: When multiple esophageal lesions are present, the possibility of multiple pathological sources should be considered. This patient was diagnosed with primary esophageal malignant melanoma combined with squamous cell carcinoma., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to report., (©The Author(s) 2023. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease with increased risk in patients with metabolic syndrome. There are no FDA-approved treatments, but FXR agonists have shown promising results in clinical studies for NAFLD management. In addition to FXR, fibroblast growth factor receptor FGFR4 is a key mediator of hepatic bile acid synthesis. Using N-acetylgalactosamine-conjugated siRNA, we knocked down FGFR4 specifically in the liver of mice on chow or high-fat diet and in mouse primary hepatocytes to determine the role of FGFR4 in metabolic processes and hepatic steatosis. Liver-specific FGFR4 silencing increased bile acid production and lowered serum cholesterol. Additionally, we found that high-fat diet-induced liver steatosis and insulin resistance improved following FGFR4 knockdown. These improvements were associated with activation of the FXR-FGF15 axis in intestinal cells, but not in hepatocytes. We conclude that targeting FGFR4 in the liver to activate the intestinal FXR-FGF15 axis may be a promising strategy for the treatment of NAFLD and metabolic dysfunction., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest F. T. and K. F. are employees of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. All other authors declare no conflicts of interest with the contents of this article., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Chitin is the main component of insect exoskeleton and midgut peritrophic membrane. Insect molting is the result of the balance and coordination of chitin synthesis and degradation in chitin metabolism under the action of hormones. In this study, a 678 bp dsRNA fragment was designed and synthesized according to the known CHI (Chitinase) sequence of Spodoptera frugiperda . It was injected into the larvae to observe the molting and development of S. frugiperda . At the same time, the activities of trehalase and chitinase, the contents of trehalose, chitin and other substances were detected, and the expression of related genes in the chitin synthesis pathway was determined. The results showed that CHI gene was highly expressed at the end of each instar, prepupa and pupal stage before molting; At 12 and 24 h after dsRNA injection of CHI gene of S. frugiperda , the expression of CHI gene decreased significantly, and the chitinase activity decreased significantly from 12 to 48 h. The expression of chitin synthase ( CHSB ) gene decreased significantly, and the chitin content increased significantly. Some larvae could not molt normally and complete development, leading to certain mortality. Secondly, after RNAi of CHI gene, the content of glucose and glycogen increased first and then decreased, while the content of trehalose decreased significantly or showed a downward trend. The activities of the two types of trehalase and the expression levels of trehalase genes decreased first and then increased, especially the trehalase activities increased significantly at 48 h after dsCHI injection. And trehalose-6-phosphate synthase ( TPS ), glutamine: fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase ( GFAT ), UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylases ( UAP ), hexokinase ( HK ), glucose-6-phosphate isomerase ( G6PI ) and phosphoacetylglucosamine mutase ( PAGM ) all decreased significantly at 24 h, and then increased or significantly increased at 48 h. These results indicated that when the expression of chitinase gene of S. frugiperda was inhibited, it affected the degradation of chitin in the old epidermis and the formation of new epidermis, and the content of chitin increased, which led to the failure of larvae to molt normally. Moreover, the chitin synthesis pathway and trehalose metabolism were also regulated. The relevant results provide a theoretical basis for screening target genes and developing green insecticides to control pests by using the chitin metabolism pathway., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Liu, Wang, Zhong, Zhou, Jiang, Cheng, Dan, Hu, Li, Tang and Wu.)

Objective: Cancer and its treatments affect patients' fertility potential. This study examined the prevalence of reproductive concerns and their relationship with metacognitions among Chinese young adult female cancer survivors (YAFCS)., Methods: A total of 318 YAFCS (aged 18-39) completed an online survey from March to December 2021. Participants reported sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive concerns and metacognitions. Reproductive concerns were measured using the Reproductive Concerns after Cancer scale (RCAC), and metacognitions were measured by the Short Form of Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30). We used Pearson correlation analysis to examine associations between metacognitions and reproductive concerns across multiple domains and multivariable linear regression to determine the influencing factors of reproductive concerns., Results: The mean score of reproductive concern among YAFCS was 49.97 ± 12.52. A total of 57.9% of participants reported a high level of concern regarding at least one dimension of reproductive concerns, and they were most concerned about their child's health and least concerned about partner disclosure of fertility status. We also found a moderate association between RCAC and MCQ-30 scores ( r  = 0.408, p  < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, metacognitions, especially negative metacognitive beliefs had an impact on reproductive concerns among YAFCS ( p  < 0.001)., Conclusion: Higher reproductive concerns were associated with higher metacognitions among YAFCS, especially with negative metacognitive beliefs. Oncology professionals should pay attention to assessing reproductive concerns in patients who want to have children or who have no children. Moreover, metacognitive beliefs may be an intervention target for alleviating reproductive concerns among YAFCS., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Xiao, Ding, Duan, Luo, Zhou, Cheng, Liu, Xie and Cheng.)

The present letter to editor is related to endoscopic mucosal ablation (EMA). EMA is safe and effective in the treatment of colonic polyps when endoscopic resection is not possible or available, but the indication of EMA should be determined for a further large number of studies. EMA should be used with caution for larger lesions., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article., (©The Author(s) 2022. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: To report 2 successfully managed cases of graft rejection with acellular porcine corneal stroma (APCS) transplantation in patients with fungal corneal ulcer. Two patients were diagnosed with fungal corneal ulcer and received APCS transplantation. Graft rejection developed due to the lost follow-up during the period of coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak. Amniotic membranes transplantation and cauterization of neovascularization was performed, respectively. The graft failure resolved successfully after the procedure. To the best of our knowledge, amniotic membranes transplantation and cauterization of new vessels are the firstly reported in treating APCS graft failure. Amniotic membranes transplantation or cauterization of neovascularization appear to be a safe and costeffective method for treating graft failure., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.)

Background: Harnessing the immune system to fight cancer has led to prominent clinical successes. Strategies to stimulate innate immune effectors are attracting considerable interest in cancer therapy. Here, through conjugating multivalent Fc fragments onto the surface of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN), we developed a nanoparticle-based innate immune system activator (NISA) for breast cancer immunotherapy., Methods: NISA was prepared through conjugating mouse IgG3 Fc to MSN surface. Then, long-chain PEG 5000 , which was used to shield Fc to confer nanoparticle colloidal stability, was linked to the MSN surface via matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2)-cleavable peptide (GPLGIAGQC). The activation of multiple components of innate immune system, including complement and the innate cells (macrophages and dendritic cells) and the associated anticancer effect were investigated., Results: Fc fragments of NISA can be exposed through hydrolysis of long-chain PEG 5000 by highly expressed MMP-2 in tumor microenvironment. Then, effective stimulation and activation of multiple components of innate immune system, including complement, macrophages, and dendritic cells were obtained, leading to efficient antitumor effect in 4T1 breast cancer cells and orthotopic breast tumor model in mice., Conclusions: The antitumor potency conferred by NISA highlights the significance of stimulating multiple innate immune elements in cancer immunotherapy., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 on HCC and to explore the possible underlying mechanisms. The expression levels of KCNQ1OT1, miR-149 and S1PR1 were detected by qRT-PCR assay. A dual luciferase reporter assay was used to detect the interaction between KCNQ1OT1 and miR-149, as well as miR-149 and S1PR1. The interaction between KCNQ1OT1 and miR-149 was further investigated by RNA pull-down assay. Wound healing assays and Transwell assays were carried out to determine cell migration and invasion. A xenograft tumour assay was used to validate the role of KCNQ1OT1 in vivo. KCNQ1OT1 and S1PR1 were significantly increased, but miR-149 was decreased in HCC cells. Luciferase reporter assays and RNA pull-down assays revealed that KCNQ1OT1 directly targeted miR-149. In addition, miR-149 bound to the 3'-UTR of S1PR1. Knockdown of KCNQ1OT1 or overexpression of miR-149 inhibited the invasion and migration of HCC cells. However, suppression of miR-149 could abrogate the effect of KCNQ1OT1 knockdown on the invasion and migration abilities of HCC cells. In vivo assays showed that KCNQ1OT1 knockdown suppressed tumour growth. This work suggests that lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 might act as a potential therapeutic target in HCC., (© 2020. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature America, Inc.)

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy, and metastasis is the main cause of cancer-associated mortality in women worldwide. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling, an inducer of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), plays an important role in breast cancer metastasis. Abnormal expression of miR-543 is associated with tumorigenesis and progression of various human cancers; however, the knowledge about the role of miR-543 in breast cancer metastasis is still unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that miR-543 inhibits the EMT-like phenotype and TGF-β-induced breast cancer metastasis both in vitro and in vivo by targeting ZNF281. ZNF281 transactivates the EMT-related transcription factor ZEB1 and Snail. Furthermore, both ZEB1 and Snail can transcriptionally suppress miR-543 expression. Taken together, our data uncover the ZNF281-miR-543 feedback loop and provide a mechanism to extend the understanding of TGF-β network complexity., (Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Various biogeochemical processes complicate carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) behaviour in coastal oceans. Through eight summer surveys, detailed variations in CO 2 mechanisms in the urbanized Jiaozhou Bay, China, were analysed. During the rainless period, respiration and dissolved inorganic carbon input from treated wastewater made the northeastern region a strong CO 2 source, while the western region with cleaner seawater was a weak source because calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) precipitation exceeded primary production. Rainfall events with different intensities and locations caused significantly different effects. When rainfall occurred over the sea, enhanced primary production caused a CO 2 sink; when rainfall induced little terrestrial pollutant input, CaCO 3 precipitation exceeded net primary production, leading to a CO 2 source. When heavy rain caused bulk runoff, the northeastern region was a strong CO 2 source because rivers flowing through downtown regions inputted considerable organic matter, while in the western region, runoff through suburbs and wetlands led to a strong sink., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Despite its monotonous structure, sea-island plays a crucial role in sustaining biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The objectives of this study were to explore the altitudinal variation of soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) pools in forests across 14 islands spanning temperate zone (TZ), northern subtropical zone (NSZ), mid-subtropical zone (MSZ), and sou-thern subtropical zone (SSZ) in eastern China. The relationships of soil C and nutrient pools with climatic factors and plant species diversity were examined across islands. Our results showed that soil C, N and P pools differed significantly across climatic zones. Soil C and N pools were the lowest in TZ (49.35 and 1.08 t·hm -2 ) and the highest in NSZ (137.25 and 4.63 t·hm -2 ). Soil P pool was the lowest in SSZ (1.3 t·hm -2 ) and the highest in NSZ (5.19 t·hm -2 ). There were significant difference in soil C, N and P pools among vegetation types. Soil C, N and P pools in deciduous forests were significantly higher in subtropical than in temperate islands. Soil C and N pools in evergreen broadleaved forests did not differ among sub-climatic zones, and soil P pool was lower in SSZ than that in NSZ and MSZ. The interactions across mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, soil water content, and plant species diversity positively affected latitudinal variation in soil C, N, and P pools. Plant species diversity positively associated with soil N pool, but negatively linked with soil P pool. In conclusion, the latitudinal trend of soil C pool is different, but that of soil N and P pools are identical between sea-island and mainland. The main abiotic and biotic dri-vers of soil C, N and P pools are water availability, temperature and plant species diversity across sea-islands in eastern China.