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Background and Aims. Liver transplantation is one of the most effective treatments for end-stage liver disease as well as for cases of acute liver failure. Facing organ donor shortage, liver transplant teams had to use marginal organs. Thus, increasing availability is a key concern of donor liver grafts including steatotic livers. However, the use of steatotic liver is still controversial. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the impact of steatosis on the outcome of liver transplantation. Methods. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of knowledge, and so on for studies published through May 31, 2018, in which patients experienced liver transplantation using fatty liver. All studies extracted outcome indicators, and we draw conclusions by contrasting outcome indicators in different groups of steatosis. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant difference. Results. 19 publications were included. There was no significant difference between the group of no steatosis and mild group in primary nonfunction rate (P=0.605) or early graft dysfunction rate (P=0.44). The PNF rate was significantly higher in moderate group (P=0.003) and severe group (P <0.001) compared with that in no steatosis group. The same results were seen in early graft dysfunction rate. However, graft survival rate and patient survival rate did not differ between groups. Conclusions. Livers with mild steatosis, even with moderate or severe steatosis, could be suitable donor under strict control of transplant conditions.

Relevant tourists fields in Henan have conducted in-depth investigations on Henan tourism, in order to provide reference for subsequent tourism research; Based on the increase in the number of Henan tourists, studying outbound tourism activities from the perspective of tourists can explore its development law and formulate effective marketing strategies. Based on this, this paper proposes a data mining method to analyze the differences between different consumer groups in tourism needs and marketing strategies. The joint example analysis shows that our data mining analysis is very reasonable and effective. Our data experiments show that based on the increase in the number of Henan tourists going abroad, the tourism strategy designed in this paper can promote tourists' interest and increase the number of trips.

Applying anammox to municipal wastewater treatment promises enormous energy and resource savings; however, seasonally cold conditions pose a considerable challenge, impeding its future applications towards non-tropical regions. In this study, we establish a pilot-scale wastewater treatment plant (50 m 3 /d) in northern China and implement the partial denitrification coupling anammox process on actual municipal wastewater. Despite seasonal cooling, the nitrogen removal efficiency remains high, ranging from 75.0 ± 4.6% at 27.8–20.0 °C to 70.4 ± 4.5% at 10–7.5 °C. This process exhibits remarkable low-temperature tolerance, achieving an in-situ anammox rate of 32.7 ± 4.7 g-N/(m 3 ·d) at 10–7.5 °C and contributing up to 39.7 ± 6.7% to nitrogen removal. Further 15 N stable isotope tracing and kinetic tests reveal that the partial denitrification is capable of supplying increasingly abundant NO 2 - to anammox with decreasing temperature, enabling robust mainstream anammox against seasonal cooling. From 27.8 °C to 7.5 °C, anammox bacteria not only survive but thrive under mainstream conditions, with absolute and relative abundances increasing by 429.1% and 343.5%, respectively. This pilot-scale study sheds fresh light on extending mainstream anammox towards non-tropical regions, taking a necessary step forward toward the sustainability goals of the wastewater treatment sector. Low temperatures pose challenges to applying sustainable anammox technology in non-tropical regions. Here, authors propose a partial denitrification coupling anammox process and conduct a pilot-scale evaluation, offering insights into extending anammox applications to colder locations.

Background . Baicalein has been used to treat inflammation‐related diseases; nevertheless, its specific mechanism of action is unclear. Therefore, we examined the protective effects of baicalein on lipopolysaccharide‐induced damage to AR42J pancreatic acinar cells (PACs) and determined its mechanism of action for protection. Methods . An in vitro cell model of acute pancreatitis (AP) was established using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 mg/L)‐induced PACs (AR42J), and the relative survival rate was determined using the 3‐(4,5)‐dimethylthiahiazo(‐z‐y1)‐3,5‐di‐phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) technique. Flow cytometry was applied to evaluate the apoptotic rates of AR42J PACs. The RNA and protein expression of miR‐224‐5p, poly ADP‐ribose polymerase‐1 (PARP1), nuclear transcription factor‐ κ B65 (NF‐ κ B65), phospho‐kappa B alpha(p‐I κ B‐ α ), interleukin(IL)‐18R, NOD‐like receptor thermal protein domain‐associated protein 3 (NLRP3), gasdermin D (GSDMD), apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a CARD (ASC), and caspase‐1 was detected based on the WB and RT‐PCR assays. IL‐1 β , IL‐6, IL‐18, and TNF‐ α expression levels in AR42J cells were measured via ELISA method. The cell morphology was examined using the AO/EB method. Results . The experiment confirmed a significant increase in the activity of AR42J cells treated with various doses of baicalein. Moreover, IL‐1 β , IL‐6, TNF‐ α , and IL‐18 expression levels in AR42J cells were dramatically reduced ( P   < 0.05), while miR‐224‐5p level was obviously enhanced. The protein and gene expression of PARP1, NF‐ κ B65, p‐I κ B‐ α , IL‐18R, GSDMD, ASC, NLRP3, and caspase‐1 was obviously decreased ( P < 0.05). Apoptosis in AR42J cells was significantly reduced with significant improvement in cell morphology. Conclusion . Baicalein may significantly alleviate LPS‐induced AR42J PAC damage by inhibiting the inflammatory response and pyroptosis. Its mode of action might be linked to higher miR‐224‐5p expression, which inhibits the PARP1/NF‐ κ B and NLPR3/ASC/caspase‐1/GSDMD pathways.

Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are considered with the capacity to have both negative and positive effects on tumor growth. The prognostic value of TAM for survival in patients with solid tumor remains controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis of 55 studies (n = 8,692 patients) that evaluated the correlation between TAM (detected by immunohistochemistry) and clinical staging, overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS). The impact of M1 and M2 type TAM (n = 5) on survival was also examined. High density of TAM was significantly associated with late clinical staging in patients with breast cancer [risk ratio (RR)  = 1.20 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.14-1.28)] and bladder cancer [RR = 3.30 (95%CI, 1.56-6.96)] and with early clinical staging in patients with ovarian cancer [RR = 0.52 (95%CI, 0.35-0.77)]. Negative effects of TAM on OS was shown in patients with gastric cancer [RR = 1.64 (95%CI, 1.24-2.16)], breast cancer [RR = 8.62 (95%CI, 3.10-23.95)], bladder cancer [RR = 5.00 (95%CI, 1.98-12.63)], ovarian cancer [RR = 2.55 (95%CI, 1.60-4.06)], oral cancer [RR = 2.03 (95%CI, 1.47-2.80)] and thyroid cancer [RR = 2.72 (95%CI, 1.26-5.86)],and positive effects was displayed in patients with colorectal cancer [RR = 0.64 (95%CI, 0.43-0.96)]. No significant effect was showed between TAM and DFS. There was also no significant effect of two phenotypes of TAM on survival. Although some modest bias cannot be excluded, high density of TAM seems to be associated with worse OS in patients with gastric cancer, urogenital cancer and head and neck cancer, with better OS in patients with colorectal cancer.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) is one type of important non-coding RNAs that participate in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. In our previous study, we performed a microarray analysis of circRNAs between the tumor tissues and the adjacent normal tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, and found that the circRNA hsa_circ_0007456 is significantly downregulated in the tumor tissues and correlated with the prognosis of HCC. We further investigated the relationship between the expression levels of hsa_circ_0007456 in HCC and the susceptibility of NK cells, and found that the expression levels of hsa_circ_0007456 in HCC cell lines significantly influenced their susceptibility to NK cells. Through a series of screening and validation, we found that hsa_circ_0007456 mainly functioned through sponging miR-6852-3p and regulating the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in HCC. The miR-6852-3p/ICAM-1 axis is essential for the NK cytotoxicity toward HCC mediated by hsa_circ_0007456. In conclusion, we identify here hsa_circ_0007456 as a promising biomarker of HCC, and highlight hsa_circ_0007456/miR-6852-3p/ICAM-1 axis as an important signaling pathway in the process of tumor immune evasion and the tumorigenesis of HCC.

Glucosyltransferases (Gtfs) play critical roles in the etiology and pathogenesis of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans)- mediated dental caries including early childhood caries. Gtfs enhance the biofilm formation and promotes colonization of cariogenic bacteria by generating biofilm extracellular polysaccharides (EPSs), the key virulence property in the cariogenic process. Therefore, Gtfs have become an appealing target for effective therapeutic interventions that inhibit cariogenic biofilms. Importantly, targeting Gtfs selectively impairs the S. mutans virulence without affecting S. mutans existence or the existence of other species in the oral cavity. Over the past decade, numerous Gtfs inhibitory molecules have been identified, mainly including natural and synthetic compounds and their derivatives, antibodies, and metal ions. These therapeutic agents exert their inhibitory role in inhibiting the expression gtf genes and the activities and secretion of Gtfs enzymes with a wide range of sensitivity and effectiveness. Understanding molecular mechanisms of inhibiting Gtfs will contribute to instructing drug combination strategies, which is more effective for inhibiting Gtfs than one drug or class of drugs. This review highlights our current understanding of Gtfs activities and their potential utility, and discusses challenges and opportunities for future exploration of Gtfs as a therapeutic target.

Apparent mineralocorticoid excess is an autosomal recessive form of monogenic disease characterized by juvenile resistant low-renin hypertension, marked hypokalemic alkalosis, low aldosterone levels, and high ratios of cortisol to cortisone metabolites. It is caused by defects in the HSD11B2 gene, encoding the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2), which is primarily involved in the peripheral conversion of cortisol to cortisone. To date, over 50 deleterious HSD11B2 mutations have been identified worldwide. Multiple molecular mechanisms function in the lowering of 11β-HSD2 activity, including damaging protein stability, lowered affinity for the substrate and cofactor, and disrupting the dimer interface. Genetic polymorphism, environmental factors as well as epigenetic modifications may also offer an implicit explanation for the molecular pathogenesis of AME. A precise diagnosis depends on genetic testing, which allows for early and specific management to avoid the morbidity and mortality from target organ damage. In this review, we provide insights into the molecular genetics of classic and non-classic apparent mineralocorticoid excess and aim to offer a comprehensive overview of this monogenic disease.

Oral cancer is a common and aggressive cancer with high morbidity, mortality, and recurrence rate globally. Early detection is of utmost importance for cancer prevention and disease management. Currently, tissue biopsy remains the gold standard for oral cancer diagnosis, but it is invasive, which may cause patient discomfort. The application of traditional noninvasive methods-such as vital staining, exfoliative cytology, and molecular imaging-is limited by insufficient sensitivity and specificity. Thus, there is an urgent need for exploring noninvasive, highly sensitive, and specific diagnostic techniques. Nano detection systems are known as new emerging noninvasive strategies that bring the detection sensitivity of biomarkers to nano-scale. Moreover, compared to current imaging contrast agents, nanoparticles are more biocompatible, easier to synthesize, and able to target specific surface molecules. Nanoparticles generate localized surface plasmon resonances at near-infrared wavelengths, providing higher image contrast and resolution. Therefore, using nano-based techniques can help clinicians to detect and better monitor diseases during different phases of oral malignancy. Here, we review the progress of nanotechnology-based methods in oral cancer detection and diagnosis.

Extensive research has demonstrated the detrimental effects of COVID-19 on maternal-fetal outcomes. However, few studies have examined the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection before and during organogenesis on human embryo implantation and subsequent development. Additionally, the influence of SARS-CoV-2 on the endometrial microenvironment, which is critical for embryo implantation, remains poorly understood. This study seeks to address these gaps in knowledge. We prospectively enrolled 971 participants undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) during the final two months of 2022, coinciding with the nationwide COVID19 outbreak following the end of China's Zero-Covid policy. Patients undergoing FET during this period were at high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection before and during organogenesis. Based on self-reported symptoms and nucleic acid testing, 520 individuals were confirmed to have SARS-CoV-2 infection, while 451 were uninfected. Consistent with existing literature, our study reinforced that SARS-CoV-2 infection negatively impacted pregnancy outcomes, as evidenced by reduced clinical pregnancy (52.69% vs. 76.50%, RR = 60.506, [95%CI, 0.259 ~ 0.452]) and live birth rates (46.54% vs. 60.09%, RR = 17.865, [95%CI, 0.448 ~ 0.746]), alongside an increase in obstetric complications (35.89% vs. 27.37%, RR = 4.380, [95%CI, 1.055 ~ 2.223]). Seven fetal congenital heart defects (CHDs) were observed in the infected group versus one in uninfected population. Bioinformatic analysis of endometrial mRNA profiles showed SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly downregulated key endometrial receptivity molecules, increased natural killer cell and mast cell infiltration, and disrupted the balance of cytokine and chemokine. Moreover, our findings demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 infection downregulated the transcriptional activity of endometrial SLC6A, a serotonin transporter, and ErbB-2, a mediator of serotonin-regulated differentiation in cardiac development. This disruption in serotonin signaling may underlie the pathogenesis of congenital heart disease. SARS-CoV-2 infection before and during organogenesis negatively impacts embryo implantation and development, primarily through mechanisms involving compromised endometrial receptivity and disruption of the local immune microenvironment.