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Purpose: To introduce a modified Hughes procedure for the repair of large full-thickness defects of the lower eyelid. Methods: This retrospective study included 56 patients: 30 in the conventional group treated with a Hughes flap and 26 in the modified group treated with a full-thickness upper eyelid flap pedicled with levator aponeurosis, Muller muscle and conjunctiva. The reconstruction time, period of pedicle division and complication rates were evaluated. Results: The lower eyelid reconstruction time was 89.2±7.7 minutes in the conventional group and 61.7±7.5 minutes in the modified group, whereas the period of pedicle division was 21.1±3.0 days in the conventional group and 10.8±3.0 days in the modified group, and the differences were statistically significant (p = 0.000 and 0.000). Lower eyelid retraction was 0.4±0.4 mm in the conventional group and 0.1±0.2 mm in the modified group, and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The modified Hughes procedure in this study resulted in a shorter lower eyelid reconstruction time, a shorter period of pedicle division, and a lower degree of lower eyelid retraction. This technique is simple and convenient for reconstructing large full-thickness defects of the lower eyelid.

Background: The esophageal mixed neuroendocrine–non-neuroendocrine neoplasm (MiNEN) is an extremely rare but poor prognosis tumor. Objectives: This retrospective study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of MiNEN and to investigate postoperative survival and prognostic factors. Design: This retrospective study analyzed 69 patients diagnosed with esophageal MiNEN at two major esophageal cancer centers in China from January 2000 to December 2021. Methods: We assessed demographic data, tumor characteristics, treatment modalities, and survival outcomes. Statistical analyses included Kaplan–Meier survival curves and Cox regression models to evaluate prognostic factors. Results: The most common histological types were combinations of small-cell carcinoma and squamous carcinoma (91.3%). The correct diagnostic rate of preoperative pathologic biopsy was only 4.3%. The median overall survival (OS) was 24.0 months, and disease-free survival (DFS) was 16.6 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 84.1%, 34.8%, and 25.3%, respectively. A peak period of recurrence or metastasis occurs in the first year after surgery, and regional lymph node recurrence is the main route of postoperative recurrence or metastasis. Tumor size, T-stage, N-stage, and tumor, lymph node, metastasis (TNM) stage were significant prognostic factors. Subgroup analyses showed that in patients with limited-stage MiNEN in stages I–III, the postoperative adjuvant treatment modality failed to improve OS and DFS compared with surgery alone. Postoperative adjuvant therapy also failed to prolong OS and DFS in patients with lymph node-positive MiNEN. No significant survival benefits were observed with different surgical techniques or adjuvant chemotherapy regimens. Conclusion: Esophageal MiNEN has aggressive behavior and a poor prognosis. In China, the pathologic type of esophageal MiNEN may be dominated by a combination of small-cell carcinoma and squamous carcinoma. Early-stage disease significantly correlated with improved survival outcomes. Current treatment protocols, similar to those for other esophageal cancers, show limited efficacy in improving patient survival.

Abstract Background Primary thymic adenocarcinoma (PTAC) is an extremely rare disease with a poor prognosis. In the present study, we sought to analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with PTAC. Methods A total of 14 patients with PTAC treated at our center from January 2000 to January 2019 were included in this study. We retrospectively collected information on sex, age, history of smoking, family history of cancer, comorbidities, symptoms, imaging tests, serum tumor marker levels, tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) staging, and treatment records. Follow‐up information was obtained by telephone interviews or outpatient clinic visit. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to investigate the clinicopathological factors associated with survival. Results Among 14 patients with PTAC, there were five males and nine females, with an average age of 48.7 ± 9.3 years. A total of 23.1% of the patients had a history of smoking. The clinical symptoms of the patients were nonspecific and seven patients had elevated levels of serum tumor markers. Surgery was performed for nine patients, among which only four received R0 resection. The median survival time of the 14 patients was 16.0 months, and the 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year survival rates were 57.1%, 35.7% and 21.4%, respectively. TNM stage was identified as an independent prognostic factor for PTAC patients (the median survival time of stage I–IIIA vs. stage IV was 44.0 months vs. 9.0 months, p = 0.002). Conclusions PTAC is highly aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis. Surgical treatment is feasible, but R0 resection is challenging. TNM staging is significantly associated with patient survival.

Abstract Background The goal of the research was to examine the value of peripheral blood indicators in forecasting survival and recurrence among people suffering central‐type non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing sleeve lobectomy (SL). Methods Clinical information was gathered from 146 individuals suffering from NSCLC who had SL at our facility between January 2014 and May 2023. Peripheral blood neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) levels were determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to establish the threshold points. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was employed to evaluate the prognostic value of different groupings, and both univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards model (referred to as COX) were performed. Results The disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) cutoff values were carried out via ROC analysis. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed notable differences in OS for NLR (≥2.196 vs.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical features, radiographic features, treatment strategies, pathological features, and prognosis of orbital cholesterol granuloma (CG). Methods: Twelve patients with orbital CG who were referred to Tianjin Eye Hospital between January 2002 and December 2020 were included in this retrospective case series study. Data collected including patient ophthalmic manifestations, imaging findings, treatment strategies, pathological features, and prognosis were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The patients comprised 10 males and 2 females. The mean age was 34.5 years (standard deviation [SD] = 8.9, median: 36 and range: 16–45 years). Four patients had a history of orbital trauma. The clinical manifestations at the first visit were proptosis (7/12, 58.3%), periorbital or eyelid swelling (6/12, 50%), limitation of eye movement (4/12, 33.3%), ptosis (2/12, 16.7%), and decreased visual acuity (1/12, 8.3%). Computed tomography (CT) showed a nonenhancing, well-circumscribed lesion in the orbit with extensive erosion of the adjacent frontal bone and temporal bone. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a nonenhancing mass with intermediate-to-high signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted images. Ten patients underwent lateral orbitotomy, and two patients underwent supraorbital orbitotomy. All patients had aggressive bone erosion. Histopathologic evaluation of the cyst contents and wall revealed cholesterol clefts, multinucleated giant cells, histiocytes, foamy macrophages, and altered blood pigments. The mean follow-up time of 79.6 months (SD = 49.8, range: 19–193 months). Three patients were lost to follow-up. No postoperative diminution of vision was noted, and no recurrence was observed. Conclusions: CGs can present as superotemporal or temporal orbital lesions. The diagnosis can be established based on CT and MRI. Most of the patients can have no history of orbital trauma.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of dacryoendoscopic-assisted laser dacryoplasty with silicone intubation (DLDI) for the management of nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) or stenosis, and to identify the factors associated with DLDI failure.Methods and analysis This study was designed as a prospective, single-centre cohort study. Patients with NLDO or stenosis who underwent DLDI from December 2019 to December 2021 at Tianjin Eye Hospital were considered for enrolment. The Kaplan-Meier estimator was used to assess the anatomical and functional success rate of DLDI within 2 years follow-up after removal of the silicone stent. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify risk factors for treatment failure.Results 170, 174 and 178 eyes were included in Groups A (proximal NLDO), B (distal NLDO) and C (nasolacrimal duct stenosis), respectively. The overall anatomical success rate was 84.8% for the entire cohort at the 2-year follow-up. The cumulative anatomical or functional success rate for Groups B and C was significantly higher than that for Group A. In the multivariable model, a higher risk of failed DLDI surgery was associated with a history of chronic dacryocystitis (HR=3.07; p

Purpose. This study was designed to review the primary sites, clinical manifestations, imaging features, treatments, and outcomes of 36 patients with orbital metastasis in North China. Methods. This was a retrospective review of 36 patients with orbital metastasis at Tianjin Eye Hospital between January 2010 and December 2020 in North China as well as a review of the literature. Results. Thirty-six patients were included in the study; 17 were male, and 19 were female, with an age range of 1–82 years (average 54.9 ± 19.8 years). All the tumours were unilateral. The mean duration from the onset of orbital signs to presentation at the hospital was 2.4 months (range 1–10 months). Breast carcinoma, gastrointestinal tract carcinoma, and lung carcinoma were the most common histological types. Proptosis, ocular pain, and diplopia were the most common clinical manifestations. The superior orbit was the most common quadrant involved. All patients received comprehensive therapy, including surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. The average follow-up time was 2.45 years (range 7 months to 5.5 years). Ten patients in this study died as a result of disseminated metastasis from the primary tumour. Conclusions. In North China, the most common primary cancer that metastasizes to the orbit is breast cancer, followed by gastrointestinal tract carcinoma and lung cancer. The increasing trend of orbital gastrointestinal tract metastases in North China in recent years is noteworthy. The survival rate of patients with orbital metastasis of neuroblastoma is low.

The upper ocean structure obviously affects sea surface temperature cooling (SSTC) induced by tropical cyclones (TCs). Herein, principal component analysis of many Argo profiles from 2001 to 2017 in the Northwest Pacific Ocean is used to classify the upper ocean structure. The results suggest that the upper ocean structure can be divided into four types of water. Water with low mode 1 scores (M1-L water) is characterized by an extremely warm sea surface temperature (SST), while a cold and thick isothermal layer is observed for water with high mode 1 scores (M1-H water). Water with high mode 2 scores (M2-H water) has a warm SST and a thick isothermal layer. Relative to M2-H water, water with high mode 3 scores (M3-H water) has a warmer SST but a shallower mixed layer. These waters have remarkable seasonal and spatial variability, mainly associated with the impacts of solar radiation, precipitation, currents and mesoscale eddies. The ocean responses to TCs are different among these water types, which greatly influences the TCs intensification. The response of M1-H water is not considered, since its SST is below 26°C. The TC-induced SSTC of M3-H water (-1.12°C) is markedly higher than that of M1-L (-0.68°C) and M2-H waters (-0.41°C). Moreover, the one-dimensional mixed layer model shows a much smaller entrainment rate for M2-H water due to its thick barrier layer. The number of each water type changes in association with global warming and Kuroshio path, and thus affects the TC intensification.

In this study, the effect of different heating temperatures (80, 90, 100, and 121 °C) on the physicochemical and volatile flavor properties of fried mantles (Argentinian shortfin) was investigated. The squid mantles were soaked in a maltose syrup solution (20% w/v) for 10 s and fried in soybean oil for 10 s (160 °C), vacuum-packed, and processed at different temperatures for 10 min. Then, the squid mantles were subjected to colorimetric analysis, sensory evaluation, free amino acid analysis, and texture profile analysis. In addition, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the squid mantles were analyzed. The results revealed that lower treating temperatures (80 and 90 °C) improved the chromatic and textural properties, along with organoleptic perception. Additionally, the content of amino acid in the squid mantles treated at 121 °C was significantly lower than that of the samples treated at other temperatures (p < 0.05). Headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) was used to detect 41 VOCs, including their monomers and dimers. Among these detected VOCs, the contents of alcohols, ketones, and pyrazines were positively correlated with temperature. However, the content of aldehydes in the squid mantles gradually decreased as the heating temperature increased (p < 0.05). The combined HS-GC-IMS and E-nose results revealed that the lower temperatures (80 and 90 °C) were more suitable for flavor development and practical processing. This study provides valuable information for properly controlling the heating process of squid products, as well as flavor and practical applications for the aquatic industry.

The effects of water content and water activity on the lipid stability of air-dried hairtail (Trichiurus haumela) were investigated during chilled storage. Air-dried hairtail samples with high and low water contents were comparatively analyzed over 8 days of storage at 4 °C. The results indicated that the decreases in water activity and increases in the NaCl content significantly inhibited lipid oxidation in the air-dried hairtail samples. The peroxidation value (PV), conjugated diene value (CD), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) value, and p-anisidine value (p-AnV) of the air-dried hairtail significantly increased with the extension of storage time. The low water content significantly inhibited the activity of neutral and alkaline lipase, in addition to lipoxygenase, and retarded the rapid increases in the non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) content in the hairtail samples. The correlation analysis results showed that the TBARS, p-AnV, and lipase activity were positively correlated in the air-dried hairtail samples, and the lower water content significantly inhibited the progress of lipid oxidation. This study offers a theoretical framework for the industrial processing and storage of air-dried hairtail products.

Studies on immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting B7-CD28 family pathways in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have shown promising results. However, a comprehensive understanding of B7-CD28 family members in ESCC is still limited. This study aimed to construct a novel B7-CD28 family-based prognosis system to predict survival in patients with ESCC. We collected 179 cases from our previously published microarray data and 86 cases with qPCR data. Specifically, 119 microarray data (GSE53624) were used as a training set, whereas the remaining 60 microarray data (GSE53622), all 179 microarray data (GSE53625) and an independent cohort with 86 qPCR data were used for validation. The underlying mechanism and immune landscape of the system were also explored using bioinformatics and immunofluorescence. We examined 13 well-defined B7-CD28 family members and identified 2 genes (ICSOLG and HHLA2) with the greatest prognostic value. A system based on the combination HHLA2 and ICOSLG (B7-CD28 signature) was constructed to distinguish patients as high- or low-risk of an unfavorable outcome, which was further confirmed as an independent prognostic factor. As expected, the signature was well validated in the entire cohort and in the independent cohort, as well as in different clinical subgroups. The signature was found to be closely related to immune-specific biological processes and pathways. Additionally, high-risk group samples demonstrated high infiltration of Tregs and fibroblasts and distinctive immune checkpoint panels. Collectively, we built the first, practical B7-CD28 signature for ESCC that could independently identify high-risk patients. Such information may help inform immunotherapy-based treatment decisions for patients with ESCC.

The difference and similarities in the physicochemical and volatile flavor properties were determined in neon flying squid (OB), jumbo squid (DG), and Argentine squid (IA) mantles during 8 days of chilled storage. Physicochemical analysis indicated the chilled conditions induced rapid increases in pH value, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN), and carbonyl and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of the three squid species. In addition, myofibrillar protein (MP) content decreased and springiness in the OB, DG, and IA mantle samples declined with the extension of storage time. Importantly, OB mantles presented less chemical stability than the other two squid samples during 8 days of chilled storage. In addition, histological observations suggest DG mantle tissues presented more compact structures than those of the other two samples. Volatile flavor analysis showed propionaldehyde, 3-pentanone, trimethylamine, 3-furanmethanol, 2-methyl butyric acid, and 2-butanone were highly abundant in the squid mantles after storage, likely resulting from decomposition, oxidation, and degradation of proteins and lipids in the squid mantle, which varied with different squid species. The findings provide insight into the performance of three squid species during chilled storage.

Multi-satellite and buoy observation data were used to systematically analyze the ocean response offshore of Taiwan to Super Typhoon Nepartak in 2016. The satellite data showed that a high sea surface temperature combined with a thick warm water layer and deep mixed layer provided a good thermal environment for continuous intensification of the typhoon. Two high-resolution buoys (NTU1 and NTU2) moored 375 and 175 km offshore of southeastern Taiwan were used to clarify the typhoon–ocean interaction as the typhoon approached Taiwan. The ocean conditions were similar at the two buoys before the typhoon, and both buoys were on the left side of the typhoon track and suffered similar typhoon factors (e.g., typhoon intensity and translation speed) during its passage. However, the ocean response differed significantly at the two buoys. During the forced period, the entire upper ocean was cooled at NTU1. In contrast, there was a clear three-layer vertical structure at NTU2 consisting of cool surface and deep layers with a warmer layer between the two cool layers. These responses can be attributed to strong upwelling of a cold eddy at NTU1 and vertical mixing at NTU2. These results indicate that, under similar preexisting conditions and typhoon factors, the movement of ocean eddies under typhoon forcing is an unexpected mechanism that results in upwelling and thus needs to be considered when predicting changes in the ocean environment and typhoon intensity.

A mixed drug self-delivery system (DSDS) with high drug content (>50%) was developed to regulate pH-triggered drug release, based on two doxorubicin (DOX)-DOX dimmers: D-DOXADH and D-DOXcar conjugated with acid-labile dynamic covalent bonds (hydrazone and carbamate, respectively) and stabilized with PEGylated D-DOXADH (D-DOXADH-PEG). Owing to the different stability of the dynamic covalent bonds in the two dimers and the noncovalent interaction between them, pH-triggered drug release could be easily regulated by adjusting the feeding ratios of the two DOX-DOX dimers in the mixed DSDS. Similar in vitro cellular toxicity was achieved with the mixed DSDS nanoparticles prepared with different feeding ratios. The mixed DSDS nanoparticles had a similar DOX content and diameter but different drug releasing rates. The MTT assays revealed that a high anti-tumor efficacy could be achieved with the slow-release mixed DSDS nanoparticles.

A novel enzyme-based biosensor for glucose detection is successfully developed using layer-by-layer assembly technology. The introduction of commercially available SiO2 was found to be a facile way to improve overall electrochemical stability. After 30 CV cycles, the proposed biosensor could retain 95% of its original current. The biosensor presents good detection stability and reproducibility with the detection concentration range of 1.96 × 10−9 to 7.24 × 10−7 M. This study demonstrated that the hybridization of cheap inorganic nanoparticles was a useful method in preparing high-performance biosensors with a much lower cost.

Background Uniportal video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is being more widely used in lung cancer, yet reports on its application in pneumonectomies are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of uniportal video‐assisted thoracoscopic left pneumonectomy for lung cancer. Methods A series of 18 lung cancer patients who had received uniportal video‐assisted thoracoscopic left pneumonectomies were included in the study. Their clinical, pathological, and surgical features, as well as postoperative recovery, were analyzed. Results The majority of the patients were male and smokers and their average age was 62.0 ± 8.9 years. All had primary lung cancer, while three (16.7%) had received neoadjuvant therapy. A total of 16 (88.9%) patients had stage II–III disease, with an average tumor size of 3.6 ± 1.5 cm. The average surgery time was 137.4 ± 47.0 minutes, with a 16.7% (3/18) conversion rate. The mean blood loss was 37.5 ± 59.4 mL and no patients needed blood transfusion during, or after, surgery. There was no perioperative death and the overall complication rate was 22.2% (4/18). Two (11.1%) patients needed to stay in the intensive care unit after surgery, and the average length of hospital stay after surgery was 6.3 ± 1.1 days (range 4–7 days). Conclusions Uniportal video‐assisted thoracoscopic left pneumonectomy is a safe and feasible procedure for selected lung cancer patients. The use of uniportal VATS in right pneumonectomies and the effect of uniportal video‐assisted thoracoscopic pneumonectomy on the survival of patients merits further study. Patients receiving uniportal VATS pneumonectomies had standard surgical results and recovery. Uniportal VATS pneumonectomy is safe for properly selected lung cancer patients. Key points Significant findings of the study: • Patients receiving uniportal VATS left pneumonectomies had standard surgical results and recovery. What this study adds: • Uniportal VATS left pneumonectomy is safe for properly selected lung cancer patients.

Synthetic platforms coupled with artificial intelligent algorithms are highly desirable for advancing the discovery of new materials with target properties. Here the authors demonstrate the use of an autonomous laboratory for the discovery of optically active CsPbBr3 inorganic perovskite nanocrystals.

Abstract Background Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the progression of various cancers and affect the response to radiotherapy. This study focused on clarifying the underlying mechanism by which lncTUG1 affects the radiosensitivity of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods lncTUG1, miR-144-3p and MET expression levels were detected in ESCC tissues and cells by qRT-PCR. Western blotting was used to examine the protein levels of MET, p-AKT and EGFR. The dual-luciferase reporter system and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays were used to confirm the interaction between lncTUG1 and miR-144-3p or miR-144-3p and MET. MTT, colony formation and flow cytometry assays were applied to examine the behavioral changes in EC9706 and KYSE30 cells. Results lncTUG1 was upregulated in ESCC cells and tissues, and lncTUG1 expression was associated with an advanced pathological stage. The bioinformatics analysis revealed that lncTUG1 could specifically bind to miR-144-3p, which was downregulated in ESCC. There was a negative correlation between lncTUG1 and miR-144-3p. LncTUG1 inhibition retarded proliferation and colony formation and induced apoptosis in ESCC cells. Moreover, lncTUG1 knockdown dramatically improved the effect of radiotherapy on ESCC development both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, MET was revealed as a downstream target of miR-144-3p and is downregulated by it. LncTUG1 promoted the progression of ESCC and elevated radiotherapy resistance in ESCC cells, accompanied by a high level of MET expression. Moreover, we found that knockdown of lncTUG1 enhanced the radiosensitivity of ESCC cells via the p-AKT signaling pathway. Conclusion Our results indicate that lncTUG1 enhances the radiotherapy resistance of ESCC by lowering the miR-144-3p level and modulating the MET/EGFR/AKT axis.

Background Uniportal video‐assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has undergone significant development in recent years, yet its usefulness and value in the treatment of lung cancer remains controversial. We investigated the effect of uniportal VATS surgery for reducing postoperative thorax drainage in lung cancer patients. Methods The data of primary lung cancer patients who underwent VATS anatomical lung resection at the China National Cancer Center by a single surgeon were retrospectively collected. After propensity score matched analysis, 492 patients (246 uniportal VATS, 246 multiportal VATS) were included in the study. The clinicopathologic and surgery‐related features, including drainage volume, were compared. Student's t and chi‐square tests were used; all tests were two‐sided. Results Patients in the two groups had similar demographic and clinicopathological features. Patients who underwent uniportal VATS surgery had significantly lower postoperative thorax drainage (830.0 ± 666.0 mL vs. 1014.5 ± 616.9 mL, P = 0.002) and a comparatively lower rate of unplanned return to the operating room (0 vs. 0.8%; P = 0.156) than multiportal VATS patients. The surgical duration, blood loss, number of lymph nodes dissected, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay were similar between the groups. Conclusions Uniportal VATS could reduce postoperative thorax drainage and the risk of unplanned return to the operating room for lung cancer patients. This study included the largest sample by a single surgeon and our results suggest the potential value of uniportal VATS for the faster recovery of lung cancer patients.

Abstract Background Current strategies are insufficient to predict pathologically complete response (pCR) for esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) before treatment. Here, we aim to develop a novel long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) signature for pCR and outcome prediction of ESCCs through a multicenter analysis for a Chinese population. Methods Differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) between pCRs and less than pCR (

Abstract A Materials Acceleration Operation System (MAOS) is designed, with unique language and compiler architecture. MAOS integrates with virtual reality (VR), collaborative robots, and a reinforcement learning (RL) scheme for autonomous materials synthesis, properties investigations, and self‐optimized quality assurance. After training through VR, MAOS can work independently for labor and intensively reduces the time cost. Under the RL framework, MAOS also inspires the improved nucleation theory, and feedback for the optimal strategy, which can satisfy the demand on both of the CdSe quantum dots (QDs) emission wavelength and size distribution quality. Moreover, it can work well for extensive coverages of inorganic nanomaterials. MAOS frees the experimental researchers out of the tedious labor as well as the extensive exploration of optimal reaction conditions. This work provides a walking example for the “On‐Demand” materials synthesis system, and demonstrates how artificial intelligence technology can reshape traditional materials science research in the future.

Background and objective Surgeons are the direct decision-makers and performers in the surgical treatment of patients with lung cancer. Whether the differences among doctors affect the survival of patients is unclear. This study analyzed the five-year survival rates of different thoracic surgeries in patients undergoing surgery to assess the physician's impact and impact. Methods A retrospective analysis of five years between 2002-2007 in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, for surgical treatment of lung cancer patients. According to different surgeons grouping doctors to compare the basic information of patients, surgical methods, short-term results and long-term survival differences. Results A total of 712 patients treated by 11 experienced thoracic surgeons were included in this study. The patients have nosignificant difference with gender, age, smoking, pathological type between groups. There were significant differences in clinical staging, surgery type, operation time, blood transfusion rate, number of lymph node dissection, palliative resection rate, postoperative complications and perioperative mortality. There was a significant difference in five-year survival rates among patients treated by different doctors. This difference can be seen in all clinical stage analyzes with consistency. In the multivariate analysis, it was suggested that surgeon was an independent factor influencing the prognosis of patients. Conclusion Thoracic surgeon has a significant effect on the therapeutic effect of lung cancer patients.

Acetylation, as one of the most important post-translation modifications, plays a key role in a variety of biological functions, such as transcriptional regulation, cytokine signaling, and apoptosis. To understand the mechanism of acetylation profoundly, it is necessary to identify acetylation sites in proteins accurately. The existing methods for identifying protein acetylation sites can be divided into two major categories, i.e., mass spectrometry and computational methods. Mass spectrometry-based experimental methods are capable of discovering acetylation sites from eukaryotes, but can be time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, it is necessary to develop computational approaches that can effectively and accurately identify protein acetylation sites. The existing computational methods usually involve feature engineering, which may lead to redundancy and biased representations. While deep learning is capable of excavating the underlying characteristics from large-scale training data set via multiple-layer networks and non-linear mapping operations. In this paper, we propose a new method (named DeepAce) for predicting general and species-specific lysine acetylation sites based on deep neural network. We critically evaluate the performance of DeepAce and compare it with other existing predictors. The comparative results show the effectiveness of our Bi-modal deep architecture and also indicate that our method is very promising for predicting acetylation sites. The source code of DeepAce can be freely accessed at https://github.com/jiagenlee/DeepAce.

Four sequential tropical cyclones generated and developed in the Northwest Pacific Ocean (NWP) in 2014, which had significant impacts on the oceanic environment and coastal regions. Based on a substantial dataset of multiple-satellite observations, Argo profiles, and reanalysis data, we comprehensively investigated the interactions between the oceanic environment and sequential tropical cyclones. Super typhoon Neoguri (2014) was the first typhoon-passing studied area, with the maximum sustained wind speed of 140 kts, causing strong cold wake along the track. The location of the strongest cold wake was consistent with the pre-existing cyclonic eddy (CE), in which the average sea surface temperature (SST) cooling exceeded −5 °C. Subsequently, three tropical cyclones passed the ocean environment left by Neoguri, namely, the category 2 typhoon Matmo (2014), the tropical cyclone Nakri (2014) and the category 5 typhoon Halong (2014), which caused completely different subsequent responses. In the CE, due to the fact that the ocean stratification was strongly destroyed by Neoguri and difficult to recover, even the weak Nakri could cause a secondary response, but the secondary SST cooling would be overridden by the first response and thus could cause no more serious ocean disasters. If the subsequent typhoon was super typhoon Halong, it could cause an extreme secondary SST cooling, exceeding −8 °C, due to the deep upwelling, exceeding 700 m, surpassing the record of the maximum cooling caused by the first typhoon. In the anti-cyclonic eddy (AE), since the first typhoon Neoguri caused strong seawater mixing, it was difficult for the subsequent weak typhoons to mix the deeper, colder and saltier water into the surface, thus inhibiting secondary SST cooling, and even the super typhoon Halong would only cause as much SST cooling as the first typhoon. Therefore, the ocean responses to sequential typhoons depended on not only TCs intensity, but also TCs track order and ocean mesoscale eddies. In turn, the cold wake caused by the first typhoon, Neoguri, induced different feedback effects on different subsequent typhoons.

Abstract Herein, a core–shell tellurium–selenium (Te–Se) nanomaterial with polymer‐tailed and lateral heterojunction structures is developed as a photothermal absorber in a bionic solar‐evaporation system. It is further revealed that the amorphous Se shell surrounds the crystalline Te core, which not only protects the Te phase from oxidation but also serves as a natural barrier to life entities. The core (Te)–shell (Se) configuration thus exhibits robust stability enhanced by 0.05 eV per Se atom and excellent biocompatibility. Furthermore, high energy efficiencies of 90.71 ± 0.37% and 86.14 ± 1.02% and evaporation rates of 12.88 ± 0.052 and 1.323 ± 0.015 kg m−2 h−1 are obtained under 10 and 1 sun for simulated seawater, respectively. Importantly, no salting out is observed in salt solutions, and the collected water under natural light irradiation possesses extremely low ion concentrations of Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ relative to real seawater. Considering the tunable electronic structures, biocompatibilities, and modifiable broadband absorption of the solar spectrum of lateral heterojunction nanomaterials of Te–Se, the way is paved to engineering 2D semiconductor materials with supporting 3D porous hydrophilic materials for application in solar desalination, wastewater treatment, and biomedical ventures.

Objective Traditionally, the absence of insulin resistance risk factors (IRRFs) was considered a low risk for insulin resistance (IR). However, IR also existed in certain individuals without IRRFs; thus this study aims to explore predictors of IR targeted at the population without IRRFs.Design Cross-sectional survey.Setting National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.Participants Participants without regular IRRFs (IRRF-Free, n=2478) and a subgroup without optimal IRRFs (IRRF-Optimal, n=1414) were involved in this study.Primary and secondary outcome measure IRRFs and the optimal cut-off value of triglyceride (TG) to predict IR.Results Overall, the prevalence of IR was 6.9% and 5.7% in the IRRF-Free group and the IRRF-Optimal group, respectively. TG and waist circumference were independently associated with the prevalence of IR in both the groups (OR=1.010 to 10.20; p

Background Natural disasters can indirectly induce epidemics of infectious diseases through air and water pollution, accelerated pathogen reproduction, and population migration. This study aimed to explore the epidemiological characteristics of the main infectious diseases in Sichuan, a province with a high frequency of natural disasters. Methods Data were collected from the local Centers for Disease Control infectious disease reports from Lu, Shifang and Yuexi counties from 2011 to 2015 and from the baseline survey of the Disaster Mitigation Demonstration Area in Western China in 2016. Principal component regression was used to explore the main influencing factors of respiratory infectious diseases (RIDs). Results The incidence rates of RIDs and intestinal infectious diseases (IIDs) in 2015 were 78.99/100,000, 125.53/100,000, 190.32/100,000 and 51.70/100,000, 206.00/100,000, 69.16/100,000 in Lu, Shifang and Yuexi respectively. The incidence rates of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) was the highest among RIDs in the three counties. The main IIDs in Lu and Shifang were hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) and other infectious diarrhea; however, the main IIDs in Yuexi was bacillary dysentery. The proportions of illiterate and ethnic minorities and per capita disposable income were the top three influencing factors of RIDs. Conclusions TB was the key point of RIDs prevention among the three counties. The key preventable IIDs in Lu and Shifang were HFMD and other infectious diarrhea, and bacillary dysentery was the major IIDs in Yuexi. The incidence rates of RIDs was associated with the population composition, the economy and personal hygiene habits.

The ocean surface and subsurface biophysical responses and their feedbacks to super typhoon Nida were comprehensively investigated based on a substantial dataset of multiple-satellite observations, Argo profiles, and reanalysis data. Nida experienced two Category 5 stages: a rapid intensification stage that was fast moving along a straight-line track, and a rapid weakening stage that was slowly moving along a sharp-left sudden-turning track. During the straight-line stage, Nida caused an average sea surface temperature (SST) cooling of 1.44 °C and a chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration increase of 0.03 mg m−3. During the sudden-turning stage, cyclonic sudden-turning induced a strong cold cyclonic eddy (SSHA < −60 cm) by strong upwelling, which caused the maximum SST cooling of 6.68 °C and a long-lasting chl-a bloom of 0.6 mg m−3 on the left-hand side of the track, resulting in substantial impacts on the ocean ecological environment. Furthermore, the enhanced ocean cold wake and the longer air–sea interaction in turn decreased the average inner-core SST of 4 °C and the corresponding enthalpy flux of 780 W m−2, which induced a notable negative feedback to the typhoon intensity by weakening it from Category 5 to Category 2. The left bias response and notable negative feedback are special due to sharp-left sudden-turning of typhoon. Comparing with the previously found slow translation speed (~4 m s−1) of significant ocean response, the negative feedback requires even more restriction of translation speed (−1) and sharp sudden-turning could effectively relax restrictions by making equivalent translation speed lower and air-sea interaction time longer. Our findings point out that there are some unique features in ocean–typhoon interactions under sudden-turning and/or lingering tracks comparing with ordinary tracks.