Inflammatory microenvironment in the initiation and progression of bladder cancer

Accumulating evidence suggests the idea that chronic inflammation may play a critical role in various malignancies including bladder cancer and long-term treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is significantly effective in reducing certain cancer incidence and mortality. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to malignant transformation and the progression of bladder cancer in a chronically inflammatory environment remain largely unknown. In this review, we will describe the role of inflammation in the formation and development of bladder cancer and summarize the possible molecular mechanisms by which chronic inflammation regulates cell immune response, proliferation and metastasis. Understanding the novel function orchestrating inflammation and bladder cancer will hopefully provide us insights into their future clinical significance in preventing bladder carcinogenesis and progression

A 3D Computational Model of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Estimating Aβ Tactile Nerve Fiber Excitability

Tactile sensory feedback plays an important role in our daily life. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is widely accepted to produce artificial tactile sensation. To explore the underlying mechanism of tactile sensation under TENS, this paper presented a novel 3D TENS computational model including an active Aβ tactile nerve fiber (TNF) model and a forearm finite element model with the fine-layered skin structure. The conduction velocity vs. fiber diameter and strength-duration relationships in this combined TENS model matched well with experimental data. Based on this validated TENS model, threshold current variation were further investigated under different stimulating electrode sizes with varied fiber diameters. The computational results showed that the threshold current intensity increased with electrode size, and larger nerve fibers were recruited at lower current intensities. These results were comparable to our psychophysical experimental data from six healthy subjects. This novel 3D TENS model would further guide the floorplan of the surface electrodes, and the stimulating paradigms for tactile sensory feedback

Power Supply Line Loss Decrease with System Dynamics Simulation and Scenarios Analysis ∗

Abstract. In China, the electric power industry as a traditional industry for decades, has stepped into its next phase. The installed capacity by 2010 reached 960 GW. But the power shortages happened in a lot of provinces by April 2011, and the peak time of power shortages has advanced. How to use electricity efficiently is still a problem. In order to improve the efficiency, decrease the energy loss in electric power system is important.This article take Chengdu as an example, solves three problems. It offers the advices to decrease the exorbitant grid load, decreases the power supply line loss and cuts down the loss in energy and the emission in greenhouse gases. Scenario Analysis and System Dynamic Method are used to research the line loss and environment effects in the electricity supply system. Through the scenario setting and simulation, factors and suggestions have been given to decrease the losses. The model could also be used to research one industries ’ development, taking the environment factors and the economy benefits into considerations

The versatile thoracodorsal artery perforator flap for extremity reconstruction: from simple to five types of advanced applications and clinical outcomes

Abstract Background Application of the thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap is known to be a popular and reliable method for extremity reconstruction. This manuscript presents our clinical outcomes in reconstructing soft tissue defects using simple and advanced TDAP flaps. Methods From 2013 to 2022, 53 patients with a mean age of 23 years (ranging from 2 to 72 years) underwent reconstructive surgery with different patterns of free TDAP flaps, including chimeric TDAP flaps, double skin paddle TDAP flaps, flow-through TDAP flaps, conjoined TDAP flaps, and microdissected debulking TDAP flaps. Results All TDAP flaps survived. The size of the TDAP skin paddle ranged between 5 × 3 and 25 × 10 cm2. Primary closure of the donor site was achieved in all patients in the simple application group, and one patient in the advanced application group underwent partial skin grafting. Partial flap loss occurred in one case in the simple TDAP flap group and four cases in the advanced application group. There was one case of flap bulkiness and two cases of scar hyperplasia in the simple TDAP flap group. The mean follow-up duration was 11 months (4–46 months). Conclusions The free TDAP flap, with five types of advanced applications, makes it versatile for reconstructing different kinds of soft tissue defects of the extremities that can be used to achieve individualized defect reconstruction, minimize donor site morbidities, and an aesthetic appearance

Low beauvericin concentrations promote PC-12 cell survival under oxidative stress by regulating lipid metabolism and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling

Beauvericin (BEA), a naturally occurring cyclic peptide with good pharmacological activity, has been widely explored in anticancer research. Although BEA is toxic, studies have demonstrated its antioxidant activity. However, to date, the antioxidant mechanisms of BEA remain unclear. Herein, we conducted a comprehensive and detailed study of the antioxidant mechanism of BEA using an untargeted metabolomics approach, subsequently validating the results. BEA concentrations of 0.5 and 1 μM significantly inhibited H2O2-induced oxidative stress (OS), decreased reactive oxygen species levels in PC-12 cells, and restored the mitochondrial membrane potential. Untargeted metabolomics indicated that BEA was primarily involved in lipid-related metabolism, suggesting its role in resisting OS in PC-12 cells by participating in lipid metabolism. BEA combated OS damage by increasing phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and sphingolipid levels. In the current study, BEA upregulated proteins related to the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, thereby promoting cell survival. These findings support the antioxidant activity of BEA at low concentrations, warranting further research into its pharmacological effects