Hybrid endovenous laser ablation reduces the recurrence of varicose veins below the knee compared with radiofrequency ablation: a real-world study

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the outcome of hybrid endovenous laser ablation (EVLA, 1470 nm) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedures for varicose veins (VVs).

Material and methods

We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of patients from July 2019 to December 2020. Eighty-four patients (121 limbs) underwent a hybrid EVLA procedure, and 108 patients (151 limbs) underwent an RFA procedure. The outcomes, venous clinical severity score (VCSS), chronic venous disease quality-of-life questionnaire (CIVIQ-20) score, and recurrence at 1, 6, and 12 months were collected.

Results

No differences in complications or 24-h pain scores were noted between the 2 procedures, but a lower dosage of foam sclerosant was used in the EVLA procedure than in the RFA procedure (p < 0.02). The postoperative VCSS and CIVIQ-20 scores in the 2 groups were significantly decreased compared with the scores before the procedure, and no differences in scores were noted between the 2 procedures at 1 month. However, the VCSS and CIVIQ-20 scores for the EVLA procedure were significantly better than those for the RFA procedure at 6 and 12 months (p < 0.05). Both procedures showed a similar great saphenous vein closure rate at 12 months. The EVLA procedure showed lower rates of overall recurrence (4.96% vs. 14.57%, OR = 3.27, 95% CI: 1.33-8.00, p = 0.01) and recurrence below the knee (4.13% vs. 11.92%, OR = 3.14; 95% CI: 1.18-8.35, p = 0.02). Moreover, the patient satisfaction score was greater for the EVLA procedure than for the RFA procedure (p < 0.02).

Conclusions

The hybrid EVLA (1470 nm) procedure reduces VV recurrence below the knee and results in better quality-of-life scores.

Early assessment of circulating exosomal lncRNA-GC1 for monitoring neoadjuvant chemotherapy response in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

The timing of surgery for patients with gastric cancer (GC) who undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy (neoCT) was mainly guided by serial radiologic imaging. However, an earlier assessment was indispensable to avoid delayed treatment for nonresponders and excessive toxicity for responders. Our previous study has identified circulating extracellular vesicles-derived lncRNA-GC1 as a biomarker for early detection and monitoring progression of GC. However, the potential role of neoCT remains poorly understood.

METHODS

In this explorative biomarker analysis, we conducted a multi-cohort study to examine longitudinal levels of circulating extracellular vesicles-derived lncRNA-GC1 in 798 patients enrolled in the RESONANCE study (NCT01583361). Both circulating extracellular vesicles-derived lncRNA-GC1 and traditional gastrointestinal biomarkers were assessed at defined time nodes. Computed tomography (CT) scans were performed before treatment and 8-10 weeks and assessed based on the RECIST criteria.

RESULTS

Circulating extracellular vesicles-derived lncRNA-GC1 could be detected in 96.3% of patients at baseline, and significant reductions were observed before cycle 2 (P<0.0001). Levels of circulating extracellular vesicles-derived lncRNA-GC1 showed a stronger correlation with tumor burden and exhibited earlier dynamic changes than the traditional gastrointestinal biomarkers during the first cycle of neoCT. Strong agreement was observed between circulating extracellular vesicles-derived lncRNA-GC1 response (reduction >50%) and radiographic response (Cohen's κ, 0.704). Importantly, circulating extracellular vesicles-derived lncRNA-GC1 maintained predictive value in two external cohorts. Patients with circulating extracellular vesicles-derived lncRNA-GC1 response showed superior disease-free survival [hazard ratio (HR), 0.6238; 95% CI, 0.4095-0.9501; P=0.0118] and overall survival (HR, 0.6131; 95% CI, 0.4016-0.9358; P=0.0090).

CONCLUSION

Circulating extracellular vesicles-derived lncRNA-GC1 is an early marker of neoCT efficacy and predicts superior survival in GC patients treated with neoCT.

ZBTB7C m6A modification incurred by METTL3 aberration promotes osteosarcoma progression

Aberrant N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of mRNAs contributes significantly to the epigenetic tumorigenesis, however, its precise role and the key targets in osteosarcoma (OS) are not defined. Here we reported that selective METTL3 (methyltransferase like 3) elevation and the consequential increase of m6A modification causally affect OS progression. The fast-growing OS cells displayed preferential upregulation of METTL3 and increased m6A modification. Conversely, m6A inhibition by 3-deazaadenosine, siRNA-mediated METTL3 knockdown or a METTL3-selective inhibitor by STM2457 effectively inhibits OS cell growth and induced OS cell apoptosis. Further investigation revealed that an oncogenic protein ZBTB7C was likely a critical m6A target that mediated the oncogenic effects. ZBTB7C mRNA contains a typical m6A motif of high confidence and its mRNA and protein were enriched with increased m6A modification in OS samples/cells. In an OS xenograft model, STM2457 or siRNA-mediated METTL3 knockdown effectively lowed ZBTB7C abundance. More importantly, the anti-OS effects of STM2457 were significantly reduced when ZBTB7C was overexpressed by lentivirus. Together, our results demonstrate that the METTL3 aberration and the resultant ZBTB7C m6A modification form an important epigenetic regulatory loop that promotes OS progression, and targeting the METTL3/ZBTB7C axis may provide novel insights into the potential strategies for OS therapy.

Computed tomography perfusion in differentiating portal hypertension: A correlation study with hepatic venous pressure gradient

BACKGROUND

Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is the gold standard for diagnosis of portal hypertension (PH), invasiveness and potential risks in the process of measurement limited its widespread use.

AIM

To investigate the correlation of computed tomography (CT) perfusion parameters with HVPG in PH, and quantitatively assess the blood supply changes in liver and spleen parenchyma before and after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).

METHODS

Twenty-four PH related gastrointestinal bleeding patients were recruited in this study, and all patients were performed perfusion CT before and after TIPS surgery within 2 wk. Quantitative parameters of CT perfusion, including liver blood volume (LBV), liver blood flow (LBF), hepatic arterial fraction (HAF), spleen blood volume (SBV) and spleen blood flow (SBF), were measured and compared before and after TIPS, and the quantitative parameters between clinically significant PH (CSPH) and non-CSPH (NCSPH) group were also compared. Then the correlation of CT perfusion parameters with HVPG were analyzed, with statistical significance as P < 0.05.

RESULTS

For all 24 PH patients after TIPS, CT perfusion parameters demonstrated decreased LBV, increased HAF, SBV and SBF, with no statistical difference in LBF. Compared with NCSPH, CSPH showed higher HAF, with no difference in other CT perfusion parameters. HAF before TIPS showed positive correlation with HVPG (r = 0.530, P = 0.008), while no correlation was found in other CT perfusion parameters with HVPG and Child-Pugh scores.

CONCLUSION

HAF, an index of CT perfusion, was positive correlation with HVPG, and higher in CSPH than NCSPH before TIPS. While increased HAF, SBF and SBV, and decreased LBV, were found after TIPS, which accommodates a potential non-invasive imaging tool for evaluation of PH.

Blue Native PAGE-Antibody Shift in Conjunction with Mass Spectrometry to Reveal Protein Subcomplexes: Detection of a Cerebellar α1/α6-Subunits Containing γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptor Subtype

The pentameric γ-Aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABA_ARs) are ligand-gated ion channels that mediate the majority of inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain. In the cerebellum, the two main receptor subtypes are the 2α1/2β/γ and 2α6/2β/δ subunits. In the present study, an interaction proteomics workflow was used to reveal additional subtypes that contain both α1 and α6 subunits. Immunoprecipitation of the α6 subunit from mouse brain cerebellar extract co-purified the α1 subunit. In line with this, pre-incubation of the cerebellar extract with anti-α6 antibodies and analysis by blue native gel electrophoresis mass-shifted part of the α1 complexes, indicative of the existence of an α1α6-containing receptor. Subsequent mass spectrometry of the blue native gel showed the α1α6-containing receptor subtype to exist in two main forms, i.e., with or without Neuroligin-2. Immunocytochemistry on a cerebellar granule cell culture revealed co-localization of α6 and α1 in post-synaptic puncta that apposed the presynaptic marker protein Vesicular GABA transporter, indicative of the presence of this synaptic GABA_AR subtype.

Multifunctional Janus Nanoplatform for Efficiently Synergistic Theranostics of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Progress has been made in the application of nanomedicine in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. However, the whole process of monitoring and treatment of RA remains a formidable challenge due to the complexity of the chronic autoimmune disease. In this study, we develop a Janus nanoplatform (denoted as Janus-CPS) composed of CeO₂-Pt nanozyme subunit on one side and periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) subunit on another side for simultaneous early diagnosis and synergistic therapy of RA. The Janus nanostructure, which enables more active sites to be exposed, enhances the reactive oxygen species scavenging capability of CeO₂-Pt nanozyme subunit as compared to their core-shell counterpart. Furthermore, micheliolide (MCL), an extracted compound from natural plants with anti-osteoclastogenesis effects, is loaded into the mesopores of PMO subunit to synergize with the anti-inflammation effect of nanozymes for efficient RA treatment, which has been demonstrated by in vitro cellular experiments and in vivo collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. In addition, by taking advantage of the second near-infrared window (NIR-II) fluorescent imaging, indocyanine green (ICG)-loaded Janus-CPS exhibits desirable effectiveness in detecting RA lesions at a very early stage. It is anticipated that such a Janus nanoplatform may offer an alternative strategy of functional integration for versatile theranostics.

Nonspecific interaction and overlap concentration influence macromolecular crowding effect on glucose oxidase activity

Macromolecular crowding can change kinetics of enzyme catalysis. How interaction between enzymes and neighboring macromolecules contributes to the crowding effect on enzyme catalysis has not been quantitatively revealed. In this study, crowding effects of dextran and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) on glucose oxidase (GOx) are studied. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments show the high transfer efficiency and stable interaction between the dextran and GOx. Further fluorescence quenching analysis also proves that the association of the dextran-GOx pair can become stronger than that of the PEG-GOx pair. Dextrans with concentrations above or below their chain overlap concentrations (c*) reduce Michaelis constants (K_m) of GOx catalysis by 90 % or 45 %, respectively, through volume exclusion mechanism, and in the meantime elevate the enzymatic efficiency (k_cat/K_m) by 8-fold or by 3-fold, respectively, which is more dramatic than that found in other enzymes before. Strong association between the enzyme and the dextran results in slow turnover rates (k_cat). Intermediate crowding with weak to moderate affinity to the enzyme below the c* can tune the k_cat higher than in the free state. Catalysis under crowded conditions is a joint effect of the enzyme-crowder nonspecific interaction, volume exclusion and overlap condition of the crowders.

Measurements of the Electric and Magnetic Form Factors of the Neutron for Timelike Momentum Transfer

We present the first measurements of the electric and magnetic form factors of the neutron in the timelike (positive q^{2}) region as function of four-momentum transfer. We explored the differential cross sections of the reaction e^{+}e^{-}→n[over ¯]n with data collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII accelerator, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 354.6  pb^{-1} in total at twelve center-of-mass energies between sqrt[s]=2.0-2.95  GeV. A relative uncertainty of 18% and 12% for the electric and magnetic form factors, respectively, is achieved at sqrt[s]=2.3935  GeV. Our results are comparable in accuracy to those from electron scattering in the comparable spacelike region of four-momentum transfer. The electromagnetic form factor ratio R_{em}≡|G_{E}|/|G_{M}| is within the uncertainties close to unity. We compare our result on |G_{E}| and |G_{M}| to recent model predictions, and the measurements in the spacelike region to test the analyticity of electromagnetic form factors.

Observation of a New X(3872) Production Process e^{+}e^{-}→ωX(3872)

Using 4.7  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data at center-of-mass energies from 4.661 to 4.951 GeV collected by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we observe the X(3872) production process e^{+}e^{-}→ωX(3872) for the first time. The significance is 7.8σ, including both the statistical and systematic uncertainties. The e^{+}e^{-}→ωX(3872) Born cross section and the corresponding upper limit at 90% confidence level at each energy point are reported. The line shape of the cross section indicates that the ωX(3872) signals may be from the decays of some nontrivial structures.

Precise manipulation of circadian clock using MnO2 nanocapsules to amplify photodynamic therapy for osteosarcoma

Circadian rhythm (CR) disruption contributes to tumor initiation and progression, however the pharmacological targeting of circadian regulators reversely inhibits tumor growth. Precisely controlling CR in tumor cells is urgently required to investigate the exact role of CR interruption in tumor therapy. Herein, based on KL001, a small molecule that specifically interacts with the clock gene cryptochrome (CRY) functioning at disruption of CR, we fabricated a hollow MnO2 nanocapsule carrying KL001 and photosensitizer BODIPY with the modification of alendronate (ALD) on the surface (H-MnSiO/K&B-ALD) for osteosarcoma (OS) targeting. The H-MnSiO/K&B-ALD nanoparticles reduced the CR amplitude in OS cells without affecting cell proliferation. Furthermore, nanoparticles-controlled oxygen consumption by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration via CR disruption, thus partially overcoming the hypoxia limitation for photodynamic therapy (PDT) and significantly promoting PDT efficacy. An orthotopic OS model demonstrated that KL001 significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect of H-MnSiO/K&B-ALD nanoparticles on tumor growth after laser irradiation. CR disruption and oxygen level enhancement induced by H-MnSiO/K&B-ALD nanoparticles under laser irradiation were also confirmed in vivo. This discovery first demonstrated the potential of CR controlling for tumor PDT ablation and provided a promising strategy for overcoming tumor hypoxia.

Piezoresistive MXene/Silk fibroin nanocomposite hydrogel for accelerating bone regeneration by Re-establishing electrical microenvironment

The electrical microenvironment plays an important role in bone repair. However, the underlying mechanism by which electrical stimulation (ES) promotes bone regeneration remains unclear, limiting the design of bone microenvironment–specific electroactive materials. Herein, by simple co-incubation in aqueous suspensions at physiological temperatures, biocompatible regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) is found to assemble into nanofibrils with a β-sheet structure on MXene nanosheets, which has been reported to inhibit the restacking and oxidation of MXene. An electroactive hydrogel based on RSF and bioencapsulated MXene is thus prepared to promote efficient bone regeneration. This MXene/RSF hydrogel also acts as a piezoresistive pressure transducer, which can potentially be utilized to monitor the electrophysiological microenvironment. RNA sequencing is performed to explore the underlying mechanisms, which can activate Ca²⁺/CALM signaling in favor of the direct osteogenesis process. ES is found to facilitate indirect osteogenesis by promoting the polarization of M2 macrophages, as well as stimulating the neogenesis and migration of endotheliocytes. Consistent improvements in bone regeneration and angiogenesis are observed with MXene/RSF hydrogels under ES in vivo. Collectively, the MXene/RSF hydrogel provides a distinctive and promising strategy for promoting direct osteogenesis, regulating immune microenvironment and neovascularization under ES, leading to re-establish electrical microenvironment for bone regeneration.

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MXene nanosheets could direct the selective growth of silk nanofibrils.

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Prepared MXene/RSF hydrogel exhibited good conductivity and sensing ability.

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The electroactive hydrogel could promote osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by activating the Ca²⁺/CALM signaling pathway.

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The conductive system created an osteoblast–macrophage–endotheliocyte virtuous circle for bone microenvironment.

Recrystallization of Hot-Rolled 2A14 Alloy during Semisolid Temperature Annealing Process

In this study, in order to provide proper parameters for the preparation of semisolid billets, the semisolid annealing of hot-rolled 2A14 Al alloy was investigated. The microstructure was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with an X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The XRD results showed that, with an increase in temperature, the θ-Al2Cu equilibrium gradually dissolved in the matrix. The EDS results of SEM and STEM showed a coarse θ-Al2Cu phase, ultrafine precipitate Al(MnFeSi) or (Mn, Fe)Al6 phase, and atomic clusters in the microstructure. The EBSD results showed that the recrystallization mechanism was dominated by continuous static recrystallization (CSRX), homogeneous nucleation occurred when the sample was heated to near solidus temperature, and CSRX occurred at a semisolid temperature. In the process of recrystallization, the microtexture changed from the preferred orientation to a random orientation. Various experimental results showed that static recrystallization (SRX) occurred at a semisolid temperature due to the blocking effect of atomic clusters on the dislocation slip, and the Zener drag effect of fine precipitates on low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) disappeared with melting at a semisolid temperature.

LMNB1 deletion in ovarian cancer inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells through PI3K/Akt pathway

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a common malignant tumor in gynecology. LMNB1 is an important component of the nuclear skeleton. The expression of LMNB1 in ovarian cancer is significantly higher than that in normal tissues, but its role in tumor still needs comprehensive investigation. In this study, we overexpressed and knocked down LMNB1 in ovarian cancer cells and explore the effect of LMNB1 on the cell proliferation, migration and the underlying mechanism. We analyzed the expression levels of LMNB1 in ovarian cancer and their clinical relevance by using bioinformatics methods, qRT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. To state the effect and mechanism of LMNB1 on OC in vitro and in vivo, we performed mouse xenograft studies, CCK8, cloning formation, Edu incorporation, wound healing, transwell and flow cytometry assay in stable LMNB1 knockdown OC cells, following by RNA-seq. Overexpression of LMNB1 indicates the progression of OC. LMNB1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation and migration of OC cells by suppressing the FGF1-mediated PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Our study shows LMNB1 as a novel prognostic factor and therapeutic target in OC.

Extrusion-based 3D printing of biodegradable, osteogenic, paramagnetic, and porous FeMn-akermanite bone substitutes

The development of biodegradable Fe-based bone implants has rapidly progressed in recent years. Most of the challenges encountered in developing such implants have been tackled individually or in combination using additive manufacturing technologies. Yet not all the challenges have been overcome. Herein, we present porous FeMn-akermanite composite scaffolds fabricated by extrusion-based 3D printing to address the unmet clinical needs associated with Fe-based biomaterials for bone regeneration, including low biodegradation rate, MRI-incompatibility, mechanical properties, and limited bioactivity. In this research, we developed inks containing Fe, 35 wt% Mn, and 20 or 30 vol% akermanite powder mixtures. 3D printing was optimized together with the debinding and sintering steps to obtain scaffolds with interconnected porosity of 69%. The Fe-matrix in the composites contained the γ-FeMn phase as well as nesosilicate phases. The former made the composites paramagnetic and, thus, MRI-friendly. The in vitro biodegradation rates of the composites with 20 and 30 vol% akermanite were respectively 0.24 and 0.27 mm/y, falling within the ideal range of biodegradation rates for bone substitution. The yield strengths of the porous composites stayed within the range of the values of the trabecular bone, despite in vitro biodegradation for 28 d. All the composite scaffolds favored the adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblasts, as revealed by Runx2 assay. Moreover, osteopontin was detected in the extracellular matrix of cells on the scaffolds. Altogether, these results demonstrate the remarkable potential of these composites in fulfilling the requirements of porous biodegradable bone substitutes, motivating future in vivo research. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: We developed FeMn-akermanite composite scaffolds by taking advantage of the multi-material capacity of extrusion-based 3D printing. Our results demonstrated that the FeMn-akermanite scaffolds showed an exceptional performance in fulfilling all the requirements for bone substitution in vitro, i.e., a sufficient biodegradation rate, having mechanical properties in the range of trabecular bone even after 4 weeks biodegradation, paramagnetic, cytocompatible and most importantly osteogenic. Our results encourage further research on Fe-based bone implants in in vivo.

Observation of Three Charmoniumlike States with J^{PC}=1^{--} in e^{+}e^{-}→D^{*0}D^{*-}π^{+}

The Born cross sections of the process e^{+}e^{-}→D^{*0}D^{*-}π^{+} at center-of-mass energies from 4.189 to 4.951 GeV are measured for the first time. The data samples used correspond to an integrated luminosity of 17.9  fb^{-1} and were collected by the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring. Three enhancements around 4.20, 4.47, and 4.67 GeV are visible. The resonances have masses of 4209.6±4.7±5.9  MeV/c^{2}, 4469.1±26.2±3.6  MeV/c^{2}, and 4675.3±29.5±3.5  MeV/c^{2} and widths of 81.6±17.8±9.0  MeV, 246.3±36.7±9.4  MeV, and 218.3±72.9±9.3  MeV, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. The first and third resonances are consistent with the ψ(4230) and ψ(4660) states, respectively, while the second one is compatible with the ψ(4500) observed in the e^{+}e^{-}→K^{+}K^{-}J/ψ process. These three charmoniumlike ψ states are observed in the e^{+}e^{-}→D^{*0}D^{*-}π^{+} process for the first time.

Leaf Extract of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt Promotes Adipocyte Browning via the p38 MAPK Pathway and PI3K-AKT Pathway

The leaf of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt (PF) has been reported to negatively affect adipocyte formation, inhibit body-fat formation, and lower body weight. However, its effect on adipocyte browning remains unknown. Thus, the mechanism of PF in promoting adipocyte browning was investigated. The ingredients of PF were acquired from the online database and filtered with oral bioavailability and drug-likeness criteria. The browning-related target genes were obtained from the Gene Card database. A Venn diagram was employed to obtain the overlapped genes that may play a part in PF promoting adipocyte browning, and an enrichment was analysis conducted based on these overlapped genes. A total of 17 active ingredients of PF were filtered, which may regulate intracellular receptor-signaling pathways, the activation of protein kinase activity, and other pathways through 56 targets. In vitro validation showed that PF promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and upregulates brite adipocyte-related gene expression. The browning effect of PF can be mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway as well as PI3K-AKT pathway. The study revealed that PF could promote adipocyte browning through multitargets and multipathways. An in vitro study validated that the browning effect of PF can be mediated by both the P38 MAPK pathway and the PI3K-AKT pathway.

A novel anastrozole intravaginal ring for endometriosis: pharmacokinetic characteristics and mucosal irritation

In order to achieve the long-term management of endometriosis, a more economical and environmentally friendly material ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) was used to prepare the intravaginal ring with anastrozole (ATZ). This paper has compared the pharmacokinetic parameters with oral tablets (Aida®) in mini pigs and evaluated the uterine targeted effect and mucosal irritation of the ring. A bioassay method was developed and validated for the determination of ATZ in mini pigs. The determination of ATZ was achieved by LC-MS/MS using terfenadine as the internal standard. Separation was achieved on a Kinetex-C18 110A chromatographic column (3 × 30 mm, 2.6 μm; Phenomenex) with a gradient mobile phase consists of methanol (0.1% formic acid) and water (0.1% formic acid). The method has been proved to be scientific and sensitive through methodological validation, and can be easily and quickly applied to the determination of the content of anastrozole in mini pigs. Pharmacokinetic test results show that there was no significant difference in pharmacokinetic parameters between the two formulations. Intravaginal ring has a passive targeting effect on uterus and its mucosal irritation is acceptable. The intravaginal ring provides a new method for long-term management of endometrium.

Self-assembled nanomaterials for ferroptosis-based cancer theranostics

Most ferroptosis nanomedicines based on organic or inorganic carriers have difficulties in further clinical translation due to their serious side effects and complicated preparation. Self-assembled nanomedicines can reduce the biological toxicity caused by additional chemical modifications and excipients, offering better biocompatibility and safety. Ferroptosis therapy is an iron-associated programmed cell death dependent on lipid peroxidation with efficient tumor selectivity and biosafety. Therefore, the application of self-assembled nanomedicines with good biosafety in the ferroptosis treatment of tumors has attracted extensive attention. In this review, recent advances in the field of ferroptosis-based self-assembled nanomaterials for cancer therapy are presented, with emphasis on how these nanomaterial components interact and their distinct mechanisms for inducing ferroptosis in tumor cells, including iron metabolism, amino acid metabolism and CoQ/FSP1, as well as their respective advantages and challenges. This review would therefore help the spectrum of advanced and novice researchers interested in this area to quickly zoom in on the essential information and glean some thought-provoking ideas to advance this subfield in cancer nanomedicine.

Global survival trends for brain tumors, by histology: analysis of individual records for 556,237 adults diagnosed in 59 countries during 2000-2014 (CONCORD-3)

BACKGROUND

Survival is a key metric of the effectiveness of a health system in managing cancer. We set out to provide a comprehensive examination of worldwide variation and trends in survival from brain tumors in adults, by histology.

METHODS

We analyzed individual data for adults (15-99 years) diagnosed with a brain tumor (ICD-O-3 topography code C71) during 2000-2014, regardless of tumor behavior. Data underwent a 3-phase quality control as part of CONCORD-3. We estimated net survival for 11 histology groups, using the unbiased nonparametric Pohar Perme estimator.

RESULTS

The study included 556,237 adults. In 2010-2014, the global range in age-standardized 5-year net survival for the most common sub-types was broad: in the range 20%-38% for diffuse and anaplastic astrocytoma, from 4% to 17% for glioblastoma, and between 32% and 69% for oligodendroglioma. For patients with glioblastoma, the largest gains in survival occurred between 2000-2004 and 2005-2009. These improvements were more noticeable among adults diagnosed aged 40-70 years than among younger adults.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the largest account to date of global trends in population-based survival for brain tumors by histology in adults. We have highlighted remarkable gains in 5-year survival from glioblastoma since 2005, providing large-scale empirical evidence on the uptake of chemoradiation at population level. Worldwide, survival improvements have been extensive, but some countries still lag behind. Our findings may help clinicians involved in national and international tumor pathway boards to promote initiatives aimed at more extensive implementation of clinical guidelines.

Deep Learning Assisted Optimization of Metasurface for Multi-Band Compatible Infrared Stealth and Radiative Thermal Management

Infrared (IR) stealth plays a vital role in the modern military field. With the continuous development of detection technology, multi-band (such as near-IR laser and middle-IR) compatible IR stealth is required. Combining rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA) with Deep Learning (DL), we design a Ge/Ag/Ge multilayer circular-hole metasurface capable of multi-band IR stealth. It achieves low average emissivity of 0.12 and 0.17 in the two atmospheric windows (3~5 μm and 8~14 μm), while it achieves a relatively high average emissivity of 0.61 between the two atmospheric windows (5~8 μm) for the purpose of radiative thermal management. Additionally, the metasurface has a narrow-band high absorptivity of 0.88 at the near-infrared wavelength (1.54 μm) for laser guidance. For the optimized structure, we also analyze the potential physical mechanisms. The structure we optimized is geometrically simple, which may find practical applications aided with advanced nano-fabrication techniques. Also, our work is instructive for the implementation of DL in the design and optimization of multifunctional IR stealth materials.

Genotype-Phenotype Correlations in Autosomal Dominant and Recessive APC Mutation-Negative Colorectal Adenomatous Polyposis

The most prevalent type of intestinal polyposis, colorectal adenomatous polyposis (CAP), is regarded as a precancerous lesion of colorectal cancer with obvious genetic characteristics. Early screening and intervention can significantly improve patients' survival and prognosis. The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) mutation is believed to be the primary cause of CAP. There is, however, a subset of CAP with undetectable pathogenic mutations in APC, known as APC (-)/CAP. The genetic predisposition to APC (-)/CAP has largely been associated with germline mutations in some susceptible genes, including the human mutY homologue (MUTYH) gene and the Nth-like DNA glycosylase 1 (NTHL1) gene, and DNA mismatch repair (MMR) can cause autosomal recessive APC (-)/CAP. Furthermore, autosomal dominant APC (-)/CAP could occur as a result of DNA polymerase epsilon (POLE)/DNA polymerase delta 1 (POLD1), axis inhibition protein 2 (AXIN2), and dual oxidase 2 (DUOX2) mutations. The clinical phenotypes of these pathogenic mutations vary greatly depending on their genetic characteristics. Therefore, in this study, we present a comprehensive review of the association between autosomal recessive and dominant APC (-)/CAP genotypes and clinical phenotypes and conclude that APC (-)/CAP is a disease caused by multiple genes with different phenotypes and interaction exists in the pathogenic genes.

Radiomics-based machine learning approach in differentiating fibro-adipose vascular anomaly from venous malformation

BACKGROUND

As a complex vascular malformation, fibro-adipose vascular anomaly was first proposed in 2014. Its overlap with other vascular malformations regarding imaging and clinical features often leads to misdiagnosis and improper management.

OBJECTIVE

To construct a radiomics-based machine learning model to help radiologists differentiate fibro-adipose vascular anomaly from common venous malformations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 178 children, adolescents and young adults with vascular malformations (41 fibro-adipose vascular anomaly and 137 common vascular malformation cases) who underwent MRI before surgery between May 2012 to January 2021. We extracted radiomics features from T1-weighted images and fat-saturated (FS) T2-weighted images and further selected features through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and Boruta methods. We established eight weighted logistic regression classification models based on various combinations of feature-selection strategies (LASSO or Boruta) and sequence types (single- or multi-sequence). Finally, we evaluated the performance of each model by the mean area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC-AUC), sensitivity and specificity in 10 runs of repeated k-fold (k = 10) cross-validation.

RESULTS

Two multi-sequence models based on axial FS T2-W, coronal FS T2-W and axial T1-W images showed promising performance. The LASSO-based multi-sequence model achieved an AUC of 97%±3.8, a sensitivity of 94%±12.4 and a specificity of 89%±9.0. The Boruta-based multi-sequence model achieved an AUC of 97%±3.7, a sensitivity of 95%±10.5 and a specificity of 87%±9.0.

CONCLUSION

The radiomics-based machine learning model can provide a promising tool to help distinguish fibro-adipose vascular anomaly from common venous malformations.

Evidence for the Cusp Effect in η' Decays into ηπ^{0}π^{0}

Using a sample of 4.3×10^{5} η^{'}→ηπ^{0}π^{0} events selected from the ten billion J/ψ event dataset collected with the BESIII detector, we study the decay η^{'}→ηπ^{0}π^{0} within the framework of nonrelativistic effective field theory. Evidence for a structure at π^{+}π^{-} mass threshold is observed in the invariant mass spectrum of π^{0}π^{0} with a statistical significance of around 3.5σ, which is consistent with the cusp effect as predicted by the nonrelativistic effective field theory. After introducing the amplitude for describing the cusp effect, the ππ scattering length combination a_{0}-a_{2} is determined to be 0.226±0.060_{stat}±0.013_{syst}, which is in good agreement with theoretical calculation of 0.2644±0.0051.

Predictions of the Wettable Parameters of an Axisymmetric Large-Volume Droplet on a Microstructured Surface in Gravity

In this study, a numerical model was developed to predict the wettable parameters of an axisymmetric large-volume droplet on a microstructured surface in gravity. We defined a droplet with the Bond number Bo>0.1 as a large-volume droplet. Bo was calculated by using the equation Bo=ρlgγlv3V4π23 where ρl is the density of liquid, γlv is the liquid-vapor interfacial tension, g is the gravity acceleration and V is the droplet volume. The volume of a large-volume water droplet was larger than 2.7 μL. By using the total energy minimization and the arc differential method of the Bashforth-Adams equation, we got the profile, the apparent contact angle and the contact circle diameter of an axisymmetric large-volume droplet in gravity on a microstructured horizontal plane and the external spherical surface. The predictions of our model have a less than 3% error rate when compared to experiments. Our model is much more accurate than previous ellipsoidal models. In addition, our model calculates much more quickly than previous models because of the use of the arc differential method of the Bashforth-Adams equation. It shows promise for use in the design and fabrication of microfluidic devices.