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Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is a highly malignant and aggressive cancer. Previous studies have shown that cellular senescence is a promising therapeutic strategy to limit melanoma cell progression. However, models to predict the prognosis of melanoma based on senescence-related lncRNAs and the efficacy of immune checkpoint therapy remain undefined. In this study, we developed a predictive signature consisting of four senescence-related lncRNAs (AC009495.2, U62317.1, AATBC, MIR205HG), and we then classified patients into high- and low-risk groups. GSEA (Gene set enrichment analysis) showed different activation of immune-related pathways in two groups. In addition, there were significant differences between the scores of tumor immune microenvironment, tumor burden mutation, immune checkpoint expression, and chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity between the two groups of patients. It provides new insights to guide more personalized treatment for patients with SKCM.

Background Radiotherapy is a critical treatment modality for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the mechanisms underlying radiation resistance and tumour recurrence in NPC remain incompletely understood. Methods Oxidised lipids were assessed through targeted metabolomics. Ferroptosis levels were evaluated using cell viability, clonogenic survival, lipid peroxidation, and transmission electron microscopy. We investigated the biological functions of glutathione S -transferase mu 3 (GSTM3) in cell lines and xenograft tumours. Co-immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, and immunofluorescence were conducted to explore the molecular mechanisms involving GSTM3. Immunohistochemistry was performed to investigate the clinical characteristics of GSTM3. Results Ionising radiation (IR) promoted lipid peroxidation and induced ferroptosis in NPC cells. GSTM3 was upregulated following IR exposure and correlated with IR-induced ferroptosis, enhancing NPC radiosensitivity in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, GSTM3 stabilised ubiquitin-specific peptidase 14 (USP14), thereby inhibiting the ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of fatty acid synthase (FASN). Additionally, GSTM3 interacted with glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and suppressed GPX4 expression. Combining IR treatment with ferroptosis inducers synergistically improved NPC radiosensitivity and suppressed tumour growth. Notably, a decrease in GSTM3 abundance predicted tumour relapse and poor prognosis. Conclusions Our findings elucidate the pivotal role of GSTM3 in IR-induced ferroptosis, offering strategies for the treatment of radiation-resistant or recurrent NPC.

Traditional photolithography methods are increasingly unable to meet the ever-stringent demands for pattern resolution and alignment accuracy, and developing efficient mask optimization techniques has become an urgent need in the industry. This paper delves into the application of Inverse Lithography Technology (ILT) in nanoscale photolithography and proposes an improved mask optimization algorithm. The backbone network of this algorithm employs a UNet architecture, trained initially on a prepared dataset comprising original masks and the ones optimized through traditional methods. The pre-trained backbone network generates a coarse mask, which is then inputted into a correction layer to refine the mask, enhancing pattern accuracy and processing efficiency. Compared to traditional gradient-based mask optimization methods, neural ILT demonstrates superior effectiveness, which enhances the efficiency and pattern quality of the lithography process while reducing production costs.

Skin cancer, including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma, ranks as the fifth most common cancer globally. It exhibits a high incidence rate, with men being more susceptible, particularly as they age, making middle-aged and older men a high-risk group. This study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2018 to investigate the relationship between skin cancer and 15 urinary volatile organic compounds (VOC). VOC are a class of gases that are volatile at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, with carbon as the main structural atom. We used binary logistic regression to comprehensively assess the potential association between each urinary VOC exposure and skin cancer, while weighted quantile sum regression was employed to explore the associations of mixed co-exposures. Specific VOC, notably mercapturic acid (MA), showed significant correlations with skin cancer risk, particularly in females. Our research presents a comprehensive assessment of the link between VOC and skin cancer, aiming to provide a scientific basis for understanding the correlation between VOC and skin cancer within human populations.

Thermoelectrics enable direct heat-to-electricity transformation, but their performance has so far been restricted by the closely coupled carrier and phonon transport. Here, we demonstrate that the quantum gaps, a class of planar defects characterized by nano-sized potential wells, can decouple carrier and phonon transport by selectively scattering phonons while allowing carriers to pass effectively. We choose the van der Waals gap in GeTe-based materials as a representative example of the quantum gap to illustrate the decoupling mechanism. The nano-sized potential well of the quantum gap in GeTe-based materials is directly visualized by in situ electron holography. Moreover, a more diffused distribution of quantum gaps results in further reduction of lattice thermal conductivity, which leads to a peak ZT of 2.6 at 673 K and an average ZT of 1.6 (323–723 K) in a GeTe system. The quantum gap can also be engineered into other thermoelectrics, which provides a general method for boosting their thermoelectric performance. Defects are believed to always scatter carriers. Here, the authors find that the quantum gaps in GeTe-based materials do not scatter carriers, which decouple the carriers and phonons transport leading to high thermoelectric performance.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made treating renal anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) difficult. The current study aims to compare roxadustat with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a single-center, retrospective study during the COVID-19 outbreak in China, from December 7, 2022, to January 31, 2023. The study involved patients undergoing PD who were divided based on the medication used to treat renal anemia; the roxadustat group (n = 34) and the ESAs group (n = 120). We analyzed the effectiveness of treating anemia, cost, medication adherence, and clinical outcomes related to COVID-19. Patients were followed up for 9 months. The baseline of hemoglobin levels was (110.03 ± 1.71 g/L in the roxadustat and 110.1 ± 1.52 g/L in the ESAs groups, respectively), after 9 months of inspections, the levels of hemoglobin were (121.26 ± 2.03 g/L in the roxadustat and 118.49 ± 1.35 g/L in the ESAs groups, respectively). The roxadustat subgroup analysis indicated that total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels in the roxadustat group decreased from baseline in subjects not receiving statins (3.39 ± 0.12 vs. 4.2 ± 0.21 mmol/L and 2.21 ± 0.23 vs. 3.65 ± 0.37 mmol/L, P < 0.05). The Morisky score of the roxadustat group was higher [7 (5, 8) vs. 6 (4, 8), P < 0.01]. The drug cost of the roxadustat group was higher, but another additional cost for correcting anemia was significantly reduced. The infection rate of COVID-19 and the mortality rate caused by COVID-19 were lower in roxadustat group. During the COVID-19 pandemic, both roxadustat and ESAs effectively improved renal anemia in PD patients, however, the roxadustat group experienced less additional costs for anemia correction and better medication compliance.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal primary brain tumor with intra-tumoral hierarchy of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). The heterogeneity of GSCs within GBM inevitably leads to treatment resistance and tumor recurrence. Molecular mechanisms of different cellular state GSCs remain unclear. Here, we find that classical (CL) and mesenchymal (MES) GSCs are enriched in reactive immune region and high CL-MES signature informs poor prognosis in GBM. Through integrated analyses of GSCs RNA sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing datasets, we identify specific GSCs targets, including MEOX2 for the CL GSCs and SRGN for the MES GSCs. MEOX2-NOTCH and SRGN-NFκB axes play important roles in promoting proliferation and maintaining stemness and subtype signatures of CL and MES GSCs, respectively. In the tumor microenvironment, MEOX2 and SRGN mediate the resistance of CL and MES GSCs to macrophage phagocytosis. Using genetic and pharmacologic approaches, we identify FDA-approved drugs targeting MEOX2 and SRGN. Combined CL and MES GSCs targeting demonstrates enhanced efficacy, both in vitro and in vivo. Our results highlighted a therapeutic strategy for the elimination of heterogeneous GSCs populations through combinatorial targeting of MEOX2 and SRGN in GSCs. The molecular mechanisms underlying the function of different cellular states in glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) remain poorly understood. Here, the authors perform integrated single cell and bulk analysis of GSCs and identify potential therapeutic targets.

Purpose: This study aimed to qualitatively assess the added diagnostic value of diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and T2‐weighted imaging (T2WI), using Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS) lexicon descriptors, in evaluating breast lesions with type 2 dynamic curves. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 181 breast lesions with type 2 dynamic curves in 181 consecutive patients who underwent 3‐Tesla (3‐T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Trained radiologists assessed the morphological features of the lesions on dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) MRI, DWI, and T2WI using BI‐RADS lexicon descriptors and measured the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). Statistical analysis was performed to compare variables in lesion type groups (mass‐like group vs. nonmass‐like group). Diagnostic performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the DeLong test, with statistical significance at p < 0.05. Results: In mass‐like lesions, all morphological parameters significantly distinguished benign from malignant lesions on DCE, DWI, and T2WI (all p < 0.05). ADC values also showed significant differences ( p < 0.05). The combined approach (DCE + DWI + T2WI) yielded the highest AUC (0.895), significantly outperforming the individual methods (all p < 0.05). In nonmass‐like lesions, no parameter significantly predicted malignancy (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: The addition of DWI and T2WI, interpreted using the BI‐RADS lexicon descriptors, enhances the differential diagnosis of breast lesions with type 2 dynamic curves.

The natural regeneration of Larix gmelinii plantations plays a pivotal role in rehabilitating ecosystem services in Northeast China’s degraded forests. However, mechanistic linkages between soil aggregate nutrient fluxes and fungal community assembly remain poorly constrained. Combining space-for-time substitution with particle-size fractionation and high-throughput sequencing, this study examined successional trajectories across regeneration in Langxiang National Nature Reserve to resolve nutrient–fungal interplay during long-term forest restructuring. The results demonstrated that microaggregates (<0.25 mm) functioned as nutrient protection reservoirs, exhibiting significantly higher total carbon (TC) and nitrogen (TN) contents and greater fungal diversity (p < 0.05). Both stand regeneration stage and aggregate size significantly influenced fungal community composition and structural organization (p < 0.05). Aggregate-mediated effects predominated in upper soil horizons, where fungal dominance progressively transitioned from Mortierellomycota to Ascomycota with increasing particle size. In contrast, lower soil layers exhibited regeneration-dependent dynamics: Basidiomycota abundance declined with L. gmelinii reduction, followed by partial recovery through mycorrhizal reestablishment in Pinus koraiensis broadleaf communities. Fungal co-occurrence networks displayed peak complexity during Juglans mandshurica germination (Node 50, Edge 345), with 64.6%positive correlations, indicating the critical period for functional synergy. Basidiomycota showed significant negative correlations with nutrients and major fungal phyla (R2 = 0.89). This study confirms that natural vegetation regeneration reshapes belowground processes through litter inputs and mycorrhizal symbiosis, while microaggregate management enhances soil carbon sequestration. Near-natural plantation management should incorporate broadleaf species to preserve mycorrhizal diversity and amplify ecosystem services. These findings provide an essential soil ecological theoretical basis for sustainable plantation management in Northeast China.

The ecological restoration process of larch plantations to mixed forests contributes to enhancing the stability and functionality of forest ecosystems, with soil microbes playing a crucial role in this process. To elucidate the changes in soil microbial communities during this transition and their relationships with soil and litter properties, the study used 16S/ITS rRNA high-throughput sequencing to investigate the diversity and composition of soil bacterial and fungal communities at two soil depths across four restoration stages, and further quantified the relative contributions of soil and litter properties to variations in microbial community structure. The results indicated that bacterial and fungal α-diversity remained relatively stable in the topsoil but varied significantly across restoration stages in the subsoil (p<0.05), with the highest levels observed during the broadleaf species invasion stage. Fungal community structure demonstrated greater sensitivity to the restoration process, whereas bacterial communities showed stronger spatial dependency. Variance partitioning analysis revealed that soil properties were the main contributors to the variations of bacterial and fungal communities, accounting for 41% and 28% of the total variance, respectively. Fungal communities were more closely associated with litter properties than bacterial communities. Redundancy analysis combined with hierarchical partitioning further revealed that soil available phosphorus (AP) and total nitrogen (TN) were key factors explaining the variation in both bacterial and fungal communities. Additionally, litter total nitrogen (LTN) also emerged as an important factor affecting soil fungal communities. These findings provide critical microbiological evidence for accelerating the forest restoration in Northeast China through soil fertility management and regulation of litter inputs.