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This study investigates pore distribution and permeability behavior of tar-rich coal following high-temperature pyrolysis at 500°C using X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning. Coal samples post-pyrolysis were CT scanned, generating 1755 cross-sectional slices for three-dimensional reconstruction. An axial algorithm extracted pore distribution features, and geometric parameters were computed. An Equivalent Pore Network Model analyzed permeability characteristics. The results show that Post-pyrolysis pore distribution in tar-rich coal exhibited nonuniformity with a significant range in pore size distribution. Pores displayed concentrated spatial patterns. Total porosity was 14.24%, with 12.34% being connected. Most pores in Representative Elementary Volume (REV) regions fell within 10–50 μm in width and 20–60 μm in length, constituting over 40% of the total. Pore surface area peaked between 200–100 μm2, also comprising over 40% of the total. The Pore Network Model showed distinct characteristics in two REV regions: REV-1 demonstrated an early stage of development with poor connectivity, while REV-2 displayed a well-developed network with a bimodal coordination number histogram. The study highlights nonuniform post-pyrolysis pore distribution and significant pore size variations in tar-rich coal. This study is crucial for understanding permeability behavior in tar-rich coal after high-temperature pyrolysis.

Abstract Background Sex disparities constitute a significant issue in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanism of gender dimorphism in HCC is still not completely understood. Methods 5‐Hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC)‐Seal technology was utilised to detect the global 5hmC levels from four female and four male HCC samples. Methylation of XIST was detected by Sequenom MassARRAY methylation profiling between HCC tissues (T) and adjacent normal liver tissues (L). The role of Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2) was investigated using diethylnitrosamine (DEN)‐administered Tet2−/− female mice, which regulated XIST in hepatocarcinogenesis. All statistical analyses were carried out by GraphPad Prism 9.0 and SPSS version 19.0 software. Results The results demonstrated that the numbers of 5hmC reads in the first exon of XIST from female HCC tissues (T) were remarkably lower than that in female adjacent normal liver tissues (L). Correspondingly, DNA methylation level of XIST first exon region was significantly increased in female T than in L. By contrast, no significant change was observed in male HCC patients. Compared to L, the expression of XIST in T was also significantly downregulated. Female patients with higher XIST in HCC had a higher overall survival (OS) and more extended recurrence‐free survival (RFS). Moreover, TET2 can interact with YY1 binding to the promoter region of XIST and maintain the hypomethylation state of XIST. In addition, DEN‐administered Tet2−/− mice developed more tumours than controls in female mice. Conclusions Our study provided that YY1 and TET2 could interact to form protein complexes binding to the promoter region of XIST, regulating the methylation level of XIST and then affecting the expression of XIST. This research will provide a new clue for studying sex disparities in hepatocarcinogenesis. Highlights XIST was significantly downregulated in HCC tissues and had gender disparity. Methylation levels in the XIST first exon were higher in female HCC tissues, but no significant change in male HCC patients. The TET2–YY1 complex regulate XIST expression in female hepatocytes. Other ways regulate XIST expression in male hepatocytes.

The antitumor effects of ionizing radiation (IR) are mediated in part through activation of innate and adaptive immunity. Here we report that gut microbiota influences tumor control following IR. Vancomycin decreased the abundance of butyrate-producing gut bacteria and enhanced antitumor responses to IR. Oral administration of Lachnospiraceae, a family of vancomycin-sensitive bacteria, was associated with increased systemic and intratumoral butyric acid levels and impaired the efficacy of IR in germ-free (GF) mice. Local butyrate inhibited STING-activated type I IFN expression in dendritic cells (DCs) through blockade of TBK1 and IRF3 phosphorylation, which abrogated IR-induced tumor-specific cytotoxic T cell immune responses without directly protecting tumor cells from radiation. Our findings demonstrate that the selective targeting of butyrate-producing microbiota may provide a novel therapeutic option to enhance tumor radiation sensitivity.

Abstract Background CD73 promotes progression in several malignancies and is considered as a novel immune checkpoint. However, the function of CD73 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains uncertain. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of CD73 in ICC. Methods Multi-omics data of 262 ICC patients from the FU-iCCA cohort were analyzed. Two single-cell datasets were downloaded to examine the expression of CD73 at baseline and in response to immunotherapy. Functional experiments were performed to explore the biological functions of CD73 in ICC. The expression of CD73 and HHLA2 and infiltrations of CD8 + , Foxp3 + , CD68 + , and CD163 + immune cells were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 259 resected ICC samples from Zhongshan Hospital. The prognostic value of CD73 was assessed by Cox regression analysis. Results CD73 correlated with poor prognosis in two ICC cohorts. Single-cell atlas of ICC indicated high expression of CD73 on malignant cells. TP53 and KRAS gene mutations were more frequent in patients with high CD73 expression. CD73 promoted ICC proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. High CD73 expression was associated with a higher ratio of Foxp3 + /CD8 + tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and CD163 + /CD68 + tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). A positive correlation between CD73 and CD44 was observed, and patients with high CD73 expression showed elevated expression of HHLA2. CD73 expression in malignant cells was significantly upregulated in response to immunotherapy. Conclusions High expression of CD73 is associated with poor prognosis and a suppressive tumor immune microenvironment in ICC. CD73 could potentially be a novel biomarker for prognosis and immunotherapy in ICC.

Abstract Background Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is one of the common women reproductive endocrine diseases which adversely impacts female fertility, but the etiology and pathogenesis still remain elusive. Recently increasing researches focus on the roles of lncRNA in POI. LncRNA DANCR was involved in cell differentiation and multiple cancers. It’s highly expressed in ovary while the role of DANCR in POI is still unknown. Results Here, we identify a new POI related lncRNA DANCR, which negatively contributes to ovarian granulosa cells aging and follicular atresia. DANCR is proved to be decreasingly expressed in POI patients’ granulosa cells. Additionally, Dancr knockout (Dancr −/− ) mice were constructed and characterized with POI phenotypes and fertility decline, compared with Dancr +/+ mice. Further, in vitro experiments indicated that DANCR knockdown in granulosa cells led to cell aging and series of aging-related changes including proliferation inhibition, cell cycle G1 arrest and DNA damage. Mechanism research revealed DANCR binds with hNRNPC and p53, while DANCR knockdown attenuates the binding of hNRNPC and p53, thus enhancing protein level of p53 and promoting granulosa cells aging significantly. Conclusion The newly identified lncRNA DANCR inhibits p53-dependent granulosa cells aging by regulating hNRNPC-p53 interaction, and eventually counteracting POI. This provides new insights into the pathogenesis of POI and provides a potential target for future diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract Background In this study we explored whether one pleural catheter plus single chest tube drainage could achieve a noninferior drainage effect when compared with the traditional two chest tubes in uniportal video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for an upper pulmonary lobectomy. Methods Patients that underwent an upper pulmonary lobectomy from January to November 2020 were enrolled in this single‐center, randomized, open‐label, noninferiority trial. Prior to closure, patients were randomized to an intervention group who received an improved drainage strategy involving one pleural catheter with one chest tube (24 Fr), while traditional double chest tube drainage was applied for the control group. Results A total of 390 patients entered the study, although 190 were excluded for changing nonuniportal surgical approaches or opting for nonlobectomy resections. Finally, 200 patients were randomized (100 in the intervention group and 100 in the control group). The baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between the groups. The incidence of pneumothorax in the intervention and control groups was similar on postoperative Day 1 (noninferiority, 10% vs. 13%, p = 0.658). In addition, there were no significant differences in secondary outcomes such as incidence of pneumothorax by Day 30, postoperative chest tube/pleural catheter removal time, amount of drainage on Day 1, total amount of drainage after operation, or postoperative hospitalization. A significantly lower pain score was observed in the intervention group (3.33 ± 0.68 vs. 3.68 ± 0.94, p = 0.003). Conclusions The new strategy is noninferior to double chest tube drainage after an upper pulmonary lobectomy offers superior pain control, and is recommended for an upper lobectomy by uniportal VATS.

Sinocyclocheilus longicornus sp. nov. is described from the Pearl River basin in Hongguo Town, Panzhou City, Guizhou Province, Southwest China. Based on the presence of the long horn-like structure on the back of the head, Sinocyclocheilus longicornus sp. nov. is assigned to the Sinocyclocheilus angularis species group. Sinocyclocheilus longicornus sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of morphological characters: (1) presence of a single, relatively long horn-like structure on the back of the head; (2) pigmentation absent; (3) reduced eyes; (4) dorsal-fin rays, ii, 7; (5) pectoral-fin rays, i, 13; (6) anal-fin rays, iii, 5; (7) pelvic-fin rays, i, 7; (8) lateral line pores 38–49; (9) gill rakers well developed, nine on first gill arch; and (10) tip of adpressed pelvic fin not reaching anus.

This study aimed to investigate a bidirectional switching functionality absorber, which exhibited an ultra-wideband characteristic in one direction, while in the other direction it demonstrated the absorption of three different resonant wavelengths (frequencies). The fully layered planar structure of the absorber consisted of Al2O3, Zr, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), Zr, YSZ, Al, YSZ, and Al. The simulations were conducted using the COMSOL Multiphysics® simulation software (version 6.1) for analyses, and this study introduced three pivotal innovations. Firstly, there had been scarce exploration of YSZ and Zr as the materials for designing absorbers. The uses of YSZ and Zr in this context were a relatively uncharted territory, and our research endeavored to showcase their distinctive performance as absorber materials. Secondly, the development of a planar absorber with multifunctional characteristics was a rarity in the existing literature. This encompassed the integrations of an ultra-wideband optical absorber and the creation of a multi-wavelength resonant absorber featuring three resonant wavelengths. The design of such a multi-wavelength resonant absorber holds promise for diverse applications in optical detection and communication systems, presenting novel possibilities in related fields. Lastly, a notable discovery was demonstrated: a discernible redshift phenomenon in the wavelengths of the three resonant peaks when the thickness of YSZ, serving as the material of resonant absorber layer, was increased.