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OBJECTIVE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a highly lethal and recurrent neoplasm, with limited effective treatment regimens available. Camrelizumab, as a novel PD1 inhibitor combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), has been widely used in the treatment of HCC. However, there remains a contentious debate regarding the clinical value of the TACE and camrelizumab combination. This study seeks to investigate the efficacy and safety of this combination treatment regimen in patients with HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The related studies were retrieved from four online databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science, up to June 1, 2023. The selection of studies was based on screening of titles, abstracts, and full-texts. The primary efficacy outcomes included complete response (CR), objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR), while safety outcomes evaluated all treatment-related adverse events (AEs). Additionally, secondary outcomes such as overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were extracted for further survival analysis. The quality of the included trials was assessed using the MINORS tool. Publication bias was evaluated through funnel plot and Egger"s test. RESULTS: A total of 17 publications involving 1,377 cases were included. The pooled CR rate, ORR, and DCR of the patients treated with TACE plus camrelizumab had a pooled CR rate of 8% (95% CI: 0.01-0.15, p=0.03), ORR of 47% (95% CI: 0.42-0.52, p<0.00001) and DCR of 82% (95% CI: 0.77-0.88, p<0.00001), respectively. Compared with a control group that did not receive TACE or camrelizumab, the pooled RR of CR rate, ORR, and DCR were 1.61 (95% CI: 1.27-2.04, p<0.0001), 1.56 (95% CI: 1.19-2.05, p=0.001) and 1.55 (95% CI: 1.19-2.03, p=0.001), respectively. Besides, the combination regimen can prolong the OS (HR=2.60, 95% CI: 2.25-3.02, p<0.00001) and PFS (HR=4.90, 95% CI: 1.94-12.38, p=0.0008). However, the incidence of treatment-related AEs was relatively high (77%), with 29% for grade 3 AEs. The most common AEs observed were pain (47%), fever (46%), hepatic function abnormalities (44%), hypoalbuminemia (39%), and hypertension (37%). The combination treatment did not increase the incidence of AEs compared to the control group, except for the hand-foot skin reaction (RR=0.85, 0.74-0.97, p=0.01), hepatic encephalopathy (RR=4.29, 2.51-7.35, p<0.00001) and nausea (RR=1.35, 1.13-1.61, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy of TACE plus camrelizumab has shown notable clinical benefits, improved survival, and a manageable safety profile in patients with HCC, but it is essential to monitor and manage the specific toxicities, especially for the camrelizumab-related AEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Establishing the value realization mechanism of ecological products is of great significance to promote the coordination between ecological sustainability and economic development in the YREB (The Yangtze River Economic Belt) includes eleven provincial-level administrative regions, covering 11 provincial-level administrative regions including Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, etc). Therefore, the evaluation of the ability to realize the value of ecological products is an important starting point to effectively promote the realization of the value of ecological products. This paper constructs the evaluation index system of provincial ecological product value realization ability from three dimensions: input ability, operation ability and organization ability. Using the entropy weight method and TOPSIS method, this paper empirically evaluates the value realization ability of ecological products in 2022, taking 11 provinces (municipalities) in China's Yangtze River Economic Belt as samples. The results show that the 11 provinces (municipalities) can be divided into three levels according to the ability of high, medium and low, and the different organization and operation ability of different regions. From the perspective of watershed distribution, the upstream region has a comparative advantage in the realization of ecological product value, followed by the downstream region and weaker in the middle reaches. In general, the 11 provinces (municipalities) have a low ability to realize the value of ecological products. It is suggested that local governments should adopt differentiated competition strategy according to their own actual situation and industrial development strategy, optimize and adjust the mode of ecological product value realization, so as to promote the continuous improvement of ecological product value realization ability and promote regional high-quality development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a theoretical study on plasmon-polariton modes in graphene placed inside an optical cavity and driven by a source-to-drain electric field. The electron velocity and electron temperature are determined by solving self-consistently the momentum- and energy-balance equations in which electron interactions with impurities, acoustic-, and optic-phonons are included. Based on manybody self-consistent field theory, we develop a tractable approach to study plasmon-polariton in an electron gas system. We find that when graphene is placed inside a Fabry-Pérot cavity, two branches of the plasmon-polariton modes can be observed and these modes are very much optic- or plasmon-like. The frequencies of these modes depend markedly on driving electric field especially at higher resonant frequency regime. Moreover, the plasmon-polariton frequency in graphene is in terahertz (THz) bandwidth and can be tuned by changing the cavity length, gate voltage, and driving electric field. This work is pertinent to the application of graphene-based structures as tunable THz plasmonic devices [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression of high-mobility group nucleosome-binding domain 5 (HMGN5) in colorectal cancer tissues, to explore the function of HMGN5 on the proliferation and metastasis of colorectal cancer cells, and to further study the molecular mechanism of HMGN5 in the malignant progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The cancer tissues and para-carcinoma tissues were harvested from 40 patients with CRC. The expression of HMGN5 was detected via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and the relation between HMGN5 and clinical indexes of CRC patients was further analyzed. The CRC HT29 and HCT116 cell lines with high expression levels of HMGN5 were selected, and the HMGN5 knockdown model was established. The functions of HMGN5 on CRC cells were stated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and transwell migration assay. Then, the association between HMGN5 and fibroblast growth factor 12 (FGF12) was further explored via Dual-Luciferase reporter assay and reverse assay. RESULTS: The qRT-PCR showed that HMGN5 expression was significantly rising in cancer tissues compared to the control group. The incidence rate of lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis was higher in higher expression HMGN5 group than the lower expression HMGN5 group. The results of cell function experiments revealed that silence of HMGN5 could suppress the proliferation and migration of HT29 and HCT116. In addition, it was found using qRTPCR that knockdown of HMGN5 could significantly down-regulate the expressions of FGF12, FGFR, PI3K and AKT in HT29 and HCT116 cells. The targeted binding relation between HMGN5 and FGF12 was also indicated by the dual-luciferase reporter assay. The consequence of qRTPCR manifested that FGF12 expression markedly rose in CRC tissues, which had a positive correlation with HMGN5. Moreover, reverse assay indicated that the inhibitory effect of HMGN5 knockdown on the malignant progression of CRC could be reversed by recombinant FGF12, indicating once again that there is a mutual regulatory effect between HMGN5 and FGF12. CONCLUSIONS: HMGN5 can increase the proliferative and migrative capacity of CRC cells via targeted binding to FGF12. In addition, clinical data analyses demonstrate that HMGN5 is intimately related to the incidence rate of lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis in patients with CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oscillation of a weld pool surface makes the fluid flow motion quite complex. Two-dimensional results cannot reflect enough information to quantitatively describe the fluid flow in the weld pool; however, there are few direct three-dimensional results available. In this paper, we describe a three-dimensional reconstruction method to measure weld pool surface features based on a single high-speed camera. A stereo adapter was added in front of the high-speed camera lens to obtain two images in the same frame from different view points at the same time. According to machine vision theory, three-dimensional parameters can be reconstructed based on two such images. In this work, three-dimensional velocity fields have been obtained using this method. Based on the calibration technique employed, the associated error is estimated to be less than 11.4%. Quantitative experimental results are useful for understanding the flow pattern, and possibly for controlling the flow of liquid in the weld pool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To identify stable and specific biomarkers/biomarker combinations for fatigue assessment and establish a discriminant model. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Saliva was collected and electroencephalogram analysis was performed for 47 emergency physicians while awake and after continuoutas duty for 18-24 h. Physicians were divided into the fatigue and non-fatigue groups. Protein spectra of completely quantified saliva specimens were identified before and after long working hours using mass spectrometry. Data were analyzed through Proteome Discoverer software combined with SEQUEST to search protein databases. Proteins were characterized by collision-induced dissociation spectra. A global internal standard (GIS) was added to each group of samples and labeled by tandem mass tags m/z 131.1. All data were compared with GIS, and data between groups were further compared. Qualitative and quantitative data on proteins were exported for fatigue-related proteomic analysis, and a fatigue assessment model was established. RESULTS: We identified 767 salivary proteins in the fatigue group. The correct rates of the discriminant function of the non-fatigue and fatigue groups were 97.1% and 91.7%, respectively (the total correct rate was 95.7%). CONCLUSIONS: W e i dentified 3 0 f atigue-related protein markers from saliva. We also established a fatigue assessment model for emergency physicians using salivary biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Alginate formulations are increasingly being used for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, the benefits of alginate versus control or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are somewhat unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize data from recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy and safety of alginate-based formulation with PPIs or control for the treatment of GERD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, BioMed Central, CENTRAL, and Google scholar databases were searched from 1st January 2000 to 15th June 2020. Primary outcome was a reduction of symptoms while secondary outcomes were adverse events and treatment withdrawals. Ten articles with 11 RCTs were included. RESULTS: Qualitative analysis of four trials indicated better outcomes with alginates vs. placebo/antacids. Our pooled analysis, however, indicated no statistically significant difference between alginates and placebo/antacids for relief of heartburn, regurgitation, or dyspepsia. Similarly, no difference was seen between a combination of alginate and PPI vs. PPI alone for reduction of heartburn, regurgitation, or dyspepsia symptoms. The risk of adverse events and treatment withdrawal did not differ between the two groups in either comparison. Descriptive analysis of studies comparing alginate vs. PPI indicated no difference between the two drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that alginates may have greater efficacy than placebo/antacids in improving outcomes of GERD. However, current evidence on the efficacy of alginate-based formulations vs. PPI or the role of added alginates with PPI is questionable, and suggests no difference between the two drugs. The risk of adverse events with alginates is no greater than that of placebo or PPIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riparian buffer strips can play an important role in reducing nitrate (NO3-) contamination of groundwater from agricultural fields to the adjacent inland water system. Our objective was to investigate the temporal and spatial variation of NO3- concentrations and delta nitrogen (N) 15 (δ15N)-NO3- in groundwater at the integrated poplar-grass buffer strips with three different tree planting densities, and to assess in situ denitrification rate in riparian soils in Taihu Lake watershed of China under a subtropical climate. Nitrate concentrations and δ15N-NO3- values in groundwater were monitored along transects of piezometers installed from field edge to ditches at 5 m (16.4 ft) spacing in the integrated poplar-grass buffers. We found that groundwater NO3- concentrations declined by 67.5% to 88% while the δ15N-NO3- values enriched along the subsurface flow paths within the 15 m (49.2 ft) poplar- grass riparian buffers in Taihu Lake watershed throughout the year. Nitrate was removed more efficiently in spring and summer than in autumn and winter owing to vegetation uptake in the growing season combined with high denitrification rates due to higher groundwater table level and soil temperature. The isotopic enrichment factors for NO3- retention varied seasonally, with the highest absolute value in winter (-8.95‰) and lowest in summer (-4.53‰). The difference between poplar planting densities in buffers did not significantly affect their capacity to reduce groundwater NO3-. Riparian soil denitrification rate was highly seasonal and significantly different in the different soil depths. Our results indicate that the upper soil layer (10 to 35 cm [3.9 to 13.8 in]) in the riparian zones were hot spots for denitrification, and denitrification was strongly influenced by hydrological conditions and soil temperature in the integrated poplar-grass buffers in the Taihu Lake watershed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: G protein-coupled receptor, family C, group 6, member A, (GPRC6A) is a prostate cancer (PCa) susceptibility gene and has been shown to regulate PCa progression. However, its role in PCa metastasis is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to confirm the association between GPRC6A and aggressive PCa in a case-control analysis, and to explore the function of GPRC6A in PCa metastasis in vitro. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The association of 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of GPRC6A and linked to GPRC6A were evaluated with PCa risk and aggressive PCa in 916 subjects. Metastasis behavior was determined in GPRC6A knockdown PC3 cells, and the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and MMP9 were detected. Bone transcription factor runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker genes were examined in the GPRC6A overexpression PC3 cells. RESULTS: Among the 14 SNPs tested in PCa patients and controls, 4 were associated with aggressive PCa (p = 0.032-0.037, odds ratio = 1.38-1.41). Both the migration and invasion abilities were reduced in PC3 cells that were transiently transfected with GPRC6A short interfering RNA (siRNA). The GPRC6A knockdown cells showed reduced activity levels of MMP2 and MMP9. Furthermore, RUNX2, EMT and ERK signaling were shown to be up-regulated in GPRC6A overexpression cells. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that GPRC6A is associated with aggressive PCa. GPRC6A knockdown inhibits the PCa cells migration and invasion, and GPRC6A overexpression promotes the EMT. It is suggested that GPRC6A may serve as a potential therapeutic target for metastatic PCa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantification of ammonia (NH3) emissions is essential to the more accurate quantification of atmospheric nitrogen deposition, improved air quality and the assessment of ammonia-related agricultural policy and climate mitigation strategies. The quantity, geographic distribution and historical trends of these emissions remain largely uncertain. In this paper, a new Chinese agricultural fertilizer NH3 (CAF_NH3) emissions inventory has been compiled that exhibits the following improvements: (1) a 1 km-1 km gridded map on the county level was developed for 2008, (2) a combined bottom-up and top-down method was used for the local correction of emission factors (EFs) and parameters, (3) the spatial and temporal patterns of historical time trends for 1978-2008 were estimated and the uncertainties were quantified for the inventories, and (4) a sensitivity test was performed in which a province-level disaggregated map was compared with CAF_NH3 emissions for 2008. The total CAF_NH3 emissions for 2008 were 8.4 TgNH3 yr-1 (a 6.6-9.8 Tg interquartile range). From 1978 to 2008, annual NH3 emissions fluctuated with three peaks (1987, 1996 and 2005), and total emissions increased from 3.2 to 8.4 Tg at an annual rate of 3.0 %. During the study period, the contribution of livestock manure spreading increased from 37.0 to 45.5% because of changing fertilization practices and the rapid increase in egg, milk and meat consumption. The average contribution of synthetic fertilizer, which has a positive effect on crop yields, was approximately 38.3% (minimum: 33.4%; maximum: 42.7%). With rapid urbanization causing a decline in the rural population, the contribution of the rural excrement sector varied widely between 20.3 and 8.5 %. The average contributions of cake fertilizer and straw returning were approximately 3.8 and 4.5 %, respectively, thus small and stable. Collectively, the CAF_NH3 emissions reflect the nation's agricultural policy to a certain extent. An effective approach to decreasing PM2.5 concentrations in China would be to simultaneously decrease NOX, SO2 and NH3 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]