The effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on survival in node negative colorectal cancer with or without perineural invasion: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PurposeIt was aimed at assessing the benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) for patients with node-negative colorectal cancer (CRC) either with or without perineural invasion (PNI).MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science from database inception through October 1, 2023. Survival outcomes were analyzed using hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Heterogeneity for the descriptive meta-analyses was quantified using the I2 statistic.ResultsTen studies included in this review. ACT improved overall survival (OS) (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.40–0.69) and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.35–0.82) in PNI + patients but did not affect DFS (HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.72–1.77) in PNI- patients. A disease-specific survival (DSS) benefit with chemotherapy was observed in PNI + (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.58–0.99) and PNI- patients (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.57–1.00). And PNI decreased DFS (HR 1.94, 95% CI 1.52–2.47) and OS (HR 1.75, 95% CI 0.96–3.17) in node-negative CRC.ConclusionsIn conclusion, chemotherapy appears most beneficial for survival outcomes in node-negative patients with PNI, but may also confer some advantage in those without PNI.Systematic Review RegistrationIdentifier INPLASY2021120103

BASP1 is a prognostic biomarker associated with immunotherapeutic response in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BackgroundsImmunotherapy is effective in a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the unfavorable response rate and inadequate biomarkers for stratifying patients have primarily limited its clinical application. Considering transcriptional factors (TFs) play essential roles in regulating immune activity during HNSCC progression, we comprehensively analyzed the expression alterations of TFs and their prognostic values.MethodsGene expression datasets and clinical information of HNSCC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) repository. Then, Brain abundant membrane attached signal protein 1 (BASP1) was screened out of differentially expressed TFs by univariate and multivariate survival analysis. Tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) was applied to analyze the response to immunotherapy of BASP1high/low patients. Meanwhile, GO, KEGG and GSEA analyses were used to enrich the pathways between the BASP1high and BASP1low groups. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), CIBERSORT, EPIC and quanTiseq algorithms were applied to explore immune infiltrations. Also, immune cycle analysis was conducted by ssGSEA. Additionally, lipid peroxidation, glutathione and reactive oxygen species were performed to detect the ferroptosis alternations.ResultsBASP1 was upregulated and associated with poor survival in HNSCC patients. BASP1high patients exhibited better response rates to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy and higher expressions of immune checkpoint inhibitors. GO, KEGG and GSEA analyses indicated that the expression of BASP1 was related to several immune-related pathways and immunogenic ferroptosis signature. The infiltration of activated CD8+ T cells was authenticated to be decreased in BASP1high patients. Furthermore, BASP1 was identified to be positively correlated with T cell dysfunction and immune escape. Moreover, silencing BASP1 triggered ferroptosis in HNSCC cells, representing as increased LDH, lipid peroxidation and ROS levels, and reduced glutathione synthesisConclusionsWe demonstrated that BASP1 suppressed immunogenic ferroptosis to induce immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. BASP1 plays a critical role in immune response, and might be a promising classifier for selecting HNSCC patients who benefit from current immunotherapy

Application of metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks and their derivates for the metal-air batteries

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as the novel porous materials have the merits of diverse, adjustable functionality, high porosity and surface area, which have great application prospects in the gas storage, separation and catalysis. In addition, their derivates make up for the insufficient of electronic conductivity and chemical stability of MOFs and COFs, and provide a new ideal for accurate control of material structure. Up to now, many efficient electrocatalysts have been designed based on MOFs, COFs and their derivates for O2 reduction/evolution reactions (ORR/OER) and CO2 reduction/evolution reactions (CO2RR/CO2ER) in the metal-air batteries. In this review, the latest development of MOFs, COFs and their derivates in the metal-air batteries is summarized, and we discuss the structural characteristics of these materials and their corresponding mechanisms of action. By comprehensively reviewing the advantages, challenges and prospects of MOFs and COFs, we hope that the organic framework materials will shed more profound insights into the development of electrocatalysis and energy storage in the future

Complete chloroplast genome sequence of Syzygium samarangense (Myrtaceae) and phylogenetic analysis

Syzygium samarangense (Blume) Merr. et Perry, 1938, commonly known as wax apple, is a Myrtaceae species that is known for its unique fruit shape, flavorful and colorful fruits, medicinal value and increasing economic relevance. In this study, we reported the complete chloroplast genome sequence of S. samarangense. The complete genome is 159,109 bp in length with a quadripartite structure containing two single copy regions, a Large Single Copy region (LSC, 88,155 bp) and a Small Single Copy region (SSC, 18,796 bp) separated by Inverted Repeat regions (IRs, 26,079 bp). The GC content was 37.0%. It encoded 126 genes, including 81 protein-coding genes, 37 transfer RNA genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA genes. The phylogenetic relationships of 20 species inferred that all Syzygium species formed a single cluster belonging to Syzygieae tribe. Our results offer insights into the evolutionary relationship of S. samarangense within Myrtaceae, indicating a closer relationship between S. samarangense and S. forrestii

Energy Efficient Optimization for Solar-Powered UAV Communications System

In this work, we explore the energy efficiency optimization for a solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communications system. We consider a scenario where a number of ground users (GUs) connect with a solar-powered multi-antenna UAV over a wireless link. First, we are able to derive the relations between the uplink data rate and heading angle of UAV and transmission power of GUs. In addition, the harvested energy from solar light is also affected by UAV’s angle. Accordingly, with the objective to maximize the energy efficiency that is related to uplink data rate and energy consumption, we propose to dynamically adjust the UAV trajectory and gesture, by optimizing its velocity, acceleration, heading angle and ground user transmission power. Performance evaluations demonstrate the advantages of the presented scheme on the design of solar-powered UAV communications system.peerReviewe

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TiO₂-Ta₂O₅-CaCO₃ VARISTOR CERAMICS BY HOT ISOSTATIC PRESSING (HIP) AND POST-ANNEALING

TiO₂-Ta₂O₅-CaCO₃ varistor ceramics were prepared by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and annealed in oxygen and nitrogen, respectively. The nonlinear coefficient α, the breakdown voltage EB and the leakage current JL of samples were tested using a varistor dc parameter meter. The average barrier height ΦB of the unannealed samples and the samples annealed in oxygen and nitrogen was calculated. The microstructure of samples was analyzed by STEM-EDS, XRD and SEM. TiO₂-Ta₂O₅-CaCO₃ varistor ceramics with uniform microstructure, fine grains and low porosity was obtained by HIP. By annealing, α increases, while EB and JL decrease. When annealing is performed in oxygen, the oxygen enrichment at the grain boundaries is also helpful to increase α and reduce JL. TiO₂-Ta₂O₅-CaCO₃ varistor ceramics with Ta₂O₅ and CaCO₃ contents of 0.20mol% sintered at 1200°C and annealed at 700°C for 3h in oxygen possesses best varistor performance with α =11.2, EB =22.6V.mm-1 and JL =8.7μA.cm-2

An Analysis of the Patents concerning Hevea brasiliensis

This paper mainly analyzes the application data of patents concerning Hevea brasiliensis in the world and China from the perspectives of time, research field, and the geographical distribution of applicants. It also interprets the patents for invention in China from time, research field, and types of applicants. Based on the study, it shows that although the patent applications fluctuate, the general trend is rising. And the patents are mostly concentrated in plant protection, and agricultural biotechnology. The Chinese applicants of patents for invention largely work in the research institutes, and most of these patents focus on the field of plant protection, agricultural biotechnology, and agro-processing. However, the foreign applicants mainly work in companies, and most of these patents only focus on plant protection. These findings will provide a reference for formulating development policies about natural rubber industry in China

Determination of Trace Thorium and Uranium Impurities in Scandium with High Matrix by ICP-OES

High-purity scandium oxide is the principal raw material of high-purity scandium metal and aluminum scandium alloy targets for electronic materials. The performance of electronic materials will be significantly impacted by the presence of trace amounts of radionuclides due to the increase in free electrons. However, about 10 ppm of Th and 0.5–20 ppm of U are typically present in commercially available high-purity scandium oxide, which it is highly necessary to remove. It is currently challenging to detect trace impurities in high-purity scandium oxide, and the detection range of trace thorium and uranium is relatively high. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a technique that can accurately detect trace Th and U in high concentrations of scandium solution in the research on high-purity scandium oxide quality detection and the removal of trace impurities. This paper adopted some advantageous initiatives to develop a method for the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) determination of Th and U in high-concentration scandium solutions, such as spectral line selection, matrix influence analysis, and spiked recovery. The reliability of the method was verified. The relative standard deviations (RSD) of Th is less than 0.4%, and the RSD of U is less than 3%, indicating that this method has good stability and high precision. This method can be used for the accurate determination of trace Th and U in high Sc matrix samples, which provides an effective technical support for the preparation of high purity scandium oxide, and supports the production of high-purity scandium oxide

WTAP regulates autophagy in colon cancer cells by inhibiting FLNA through N6-methyladenosine

ABSTRACTOur study investigated the role of WTAP in colon cancer. We employed experiments including m6A dot blot hybridization, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation, dual-luciferase, and RNA immunoprecipitation to investigate the regulatory mechanism of WTAP. Western blot was performed to analyze the expression of WTAP, FLNA and autophagy-related proteins in cells. Our results confirmed the up-regulation of WTAP in colon cancer and its promoting effect on proliferation and inhibiting effect on apoptosis. FLNA was the downstream gene of WTAP and WTAP-regulated m6A modification led to post-transcriptional repression of FLNA. The rescue experiments showed that WTAP/FLNA could inhibit autophagy. WTAP-mediated m6A modification was confirmed to be crucial in colon cancer development, providing new insights into colon cancer therapy