Objective: To explore the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of primary prostatic signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC), so as to provide reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 6 patients with primary prostatic SRCC treated in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital during Nov.2020 and Sep.2024.The clinical manifestations, imaging features, treatment methods, histological characteristics and prognosis were summarized. Results: The average age of the patients was (72.00±4.28) years.Varying degrees of dysuria occurred in 4 patients. All patients underwent multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) examination before surgery, and the results indicated typical prostate cancer.Preoperative biopsies showed high-grade (Gleason 8-10) prostate acinar adenocarcinoma.Postoperative pathological diagnoses were mixed types of prostate acinar adenocarcinoma and SRCC, and no metastasis was found in the pelvic lymph nodes.All patients were followed up for 1 to 46 months after surgery and are currently alive.Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy only was performed in 3 cases; apalutamide and leuprolide/triptorelin was administered after surgery in 2 cases; bicalutamide + goserelin was administered after surgery in 1 case, who developed bladder metastasis of prostate cancer 24 months later, and the serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration decreased to a safe level (<0.2 ng/mL) after the use of darolutamide with radiotherapy.No recurrence or metastasis was found in the remaining patients. Conclusion: Primary prostatic SRCC is a rare and highly aggressive malignant tumor of the prostate.The diagnosis depends on pathological examinations due to lack of specific imaging features and clinical manifestations.The prognosis is poor, and there is currently no standardized treatment.The combined use of surgery, hormonotherapy and radiotherapy can help improve the survival rate of patients.

(+)-Borneol, the main component of "Natural Borneol" in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, is a high-end spice and precious medicine. Plant extraction cannot meet the increasing demand for (+)-borneol, while microbial biosynthesis offers a sustainable supply route. However, its production was extremely low compared with other monoterpenes, even with extensively optimizing the mevalonate pathway. We found that the key challenge is the complex and unusual dephosphorylation reaction of bornyl diphosphate (BPP), which suffers the side-reaction and the competition from the cellular dephosphorylation process, especially lipid metabolism, thus limiting (+)-borneol synthesis. Here, we systematically optimized the dephosphorylation process by identifying, characterizing phosphatases, and balancing cellular dephosphorylation metabolism. For the first time, we identified two endogenous phosphatases and seven heterologous phosphatases, which significantly increased (+)-borneol production by up to 152%. By engineering BPP dephosphorylation and optimizing the MVA pathway, the production of (+)-borneol was increased by 33.8-fold, which enabled the production of 753 mg/L under fed-batch fermentation in shake flasks, so far the highest reported in the literature. This study showed that rewiring dephosphorylation metabolism was essential for high-level production of (+)-borneol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and balancing cellular dephosphorylation is also helpful for efficient biosynthesis of other terpenoids since all whose biosynthesis involves the dephosphorylation procedure.

Objective:To prepare a nano-barium titanate@gold Schottky junction (nano-BaTiO 3@Au) coating and investigate its effects on the adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs), aiming to explore a titanium surface modification strategy with superior osteogenic activity. Methods:Pure titanium specimens served as the control group (Ti group). Titanium dioxide coatings were prepared on their surfaces via anodic oxidation. Nano-barium titanate (nBTO group) was further synthesized using the hydrothermal method. Gold nanoparticles were grown in situ on the nano-BaTiO 3 via high-temperature reduction of chloroauric acid using sodium citrate, yielding the nano-barium titanate@gold Schottky junction coating (nBTO@Au group). Surface morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Elemental composition was analyzed using X-ray energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Crystal structure was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Hydrophilicity was assessed via water contact angle measurement. Specimens were co-cultured with BMSCs to evaluate biocompatibility and osteogenic properties. Cell proliferation on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cytotoxicity towards BMSCs was assessed using live/dead cell staining. Cell morphology and adhesion were observed using cytoskeleton staining. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression in BMSCs after 7 days was quantified using an ALP activity assay and ALP staining. Extracellular matrix mineralization after 7 days was evaluated using alizarin red staining and quantification assay. Each experiment was performed using three specimens per group. Results:Scanning electron microscopy revealed that gold nanoparticles with the diameter of(14.838±0.718) nm, uniform in size and homogeneously distributed, were successfully grown in situ on the surface of the nBTO coating. EDS and XPS confirmed the presence of Ba, Ti, O, and Au elements in the nBTO@Au composite coating. XRD and Raman spectroscopy analysis indicated that the nanostructured barium titanate (nBTO) coating was synthesized via a hydrothermal method.Water contact angle measurements showed that the contact angle was 66.8°± 0.45° for the control group, 22.55°±0.42° for the nBTO group, and 26.78°±1.15° for the nBTO@Au group, indicating good hydrophilicity of both nBTO and nBTO@Au coatings. On day 1 and day 3 of culture, the cell proliferation in the nBTO group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05). In contrast, no significant differences were observed between the nBTO@Au group and either the control group or the nBTO group (all P>0.05). By day 5, the cell proliferation of nBTO@Au groups was significantly lower than that of the control group ( P<0.05), and the cell proliferation of nBTO group was significantly lower than that of the control group and that of the nBTO@Au group ( P<0.05). By day 7, there were no statistically significant differences in cell proliferation among all experimental groups ( F=1.62, P>0.05).Live/dead cell staining demonstrated that the cell survival rate exceeded 90% in all groups, with normal morphology and few dead cells, indicating good biocompatibility of the nBTO@Au coating. Compared to the control group, both nBTO and nBTO@Au groups promoted cell adhesion and spreading, although no significant difference in cell morphology was noted between the two modified groups. ALP staining revealed a larger stained area and deeper coloration in the nBTO@Au group. Quantitative results showed that ALP activity in the nBTO@Au group was significantly higher than that in both the nBTO and control groups ( P<0.05), and the nBTO group also exhibited significantly higher activity than the control group( P<0.05). Alizarin red staining indicated the deepest coloration in the nBTO@Au group, followed by the nBTO group, and the lightest in the control group. Quantitative analysis further confirmed that the amount of calcium nodule deposition in the nBTO@Au group was significantly greater than that in the other two groups ( P<0.05), and the nBTO group also showed significantly more deposition than the control group( P<0.05). Conclusions:This study successfully prepared an nBTO@Au coating possessing good biocompatibility and enhanced osteogenic properties.

Objective:To prepare a nano-barium titanate@gold Schottky junction (nano-BaTiO 3@Au) coating and investigate its effects on the adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs), aiming to explore a titanium surface modification strategy with superior osteogenic activity. Methods:Pure titanium specimens served as the control group (Ti group). Titanium dioxide coatings were prepared on their surfaces via anodic oxidation. Nano-barium titanate (nBTO group) was further synthesized using the hydrothermal method. Gold nanoparticles were grown in situ on the nano-BaTiO 3 via high-temperature reduction of chloroauric acid using sodium citrate, yielding the nano-barium titanate@gold Schottky junction coating (nBTO@Au group). Surface morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Elemental composition was analyzed using X-ray energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Crystal structure was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Hydrophilicity was assessed via water contact angle measurement. Specimens were co-cultured with BMSCs to evaluate biocompatibility and osteogenic properties. Cell proliferation on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cytotoxicity towards BMSCs was assessed using live/dead cell staining. Cell morphology and adhesion were observed using cytoskeleton staining. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression in BMSCs after 7 days was quantified using an ALP activity assay and ALP staining. Extracellular matrix mineralization after 7 days was evaluated using alizarin red staining and quantification assay. Each experiment was performed using three specimens per group. Results:Scanning electron microscopy revealed that gold nanoparticles with the diameter of(14.838±0.718) nm, uniform in size and homogeneously distributed, were successfully grown in situ on the surface of the nBTO coating. EDS and XPS confirmed the presence of Ba, Ti, O, and Au elements in the nBTO@Au composite coating. XRD and Raman spectroscopy analysis indicated that the nanostructured barium titanate (nBTO) coating was synthesized via a hydrothermal method.Water contact angle measurements showed that the contact angle was 66.8°± 0.45° for the control group, 22.55°±0.42° for the nBTO group, and 26.78°±1.15° for the nBTO@Au group, indicating good hydrophilicity of both nBTO and nBTO@Au coatings. On day 1 and day 3 of culture, the cell proliferation in the nBTO group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05). In contrast, no significant differences were observed between the nBTO@Au group and either the control group or the nBTO group (all P>0.05). By day 5, the cell proliferation of nBTO@Au groups was significantly lower than that of the control group ( P<0.05), and the cell proliferation of nBTO group was significantly lower than that of the control group and that of the nBTO@Au group ( P<0.05). By day 7, there were no statistically significant differences in cell proliferation among all experimental groups ( F=1.62, P>0.05).Live/dead cell staining demonstrated that the cell survival rate exceeded 90% in all groups, with normal morphology and few dead cells, indicating good biocompatibility of the nBTO@Au coating. Compared to the control group, both nBTO and nBTO@Au groups promoted cell adhesion and spreading, although no significant difference in cell morphology was noted between the two modified groups. ALP staining revealed a larger stained area and deeper coloration in the nBTO@Au group. Quantitative results showed that ALP activity in the nBTO@Au group was significantly higher than that in both the nBTO and control groups ( P<0.05), and the nBTO group also exhibited significantly higher activity than the control group( P<0.05). Alizarin red staining indicated the deepest coloration in the nBTO@Au group, followed by the nBTO group, and the lightest in the control group. Quantitative analysis further confirmed that the amount of calcium nodule deposition in the nBTO@Au group was significantly greater than that in the other two groups ( P<0.05), and the nBTO group also showed significantly more deposition than the control group( P<0.05). Conclusions:This study successfully prepared an nBTO@Au coating possessing good biocompatibility and enhanced osteogenic properties.

Increasing age is the most important factor for cognitive impairment.Alzheimer disease(AD)and sarcopenia are significant causes of frailty and disability in older adults.It is important to have an in-depth understanding of the relationship between sarcopenia and AD.Studies have reported that sarcopenia often disturbs the secretion of muscle factors,which may increase the risk of developing dementia.In turn,the pathological feature of dementia,such as the de-position of amyloid β-protein(Aβ),amyloid precursor protein(APP)and tau protein in peripheral neurons,may be related to a decline in muscle function.In particular,the deposition of Aβ and APP may eventually lead to movement disorders and disability.Therefore,we hypothesize that AD and sarcopenia may mutually promote each other's pathological develop-ment.This results in exacerbation of clinical and pathological damage,in which myokine and amyloid proteins play impor-tant roles.However,the interrelationship based on amyloid protein and myokine production has not been discussed in de-tail in other reviews.In this paper,we reference and discuss the studies on this topic,and review the common risk factors for sarcopenia and AD and the potential and mechanisms for mutual improvement.

Breast cancer has become the most common malignant tumor in the world. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a kind of molecular chaperone which can promote protein folding and maintain protein stability. HSP90 includes HSP90α, HSP90β, GRP94 and TRAP1 subtypes. Previous studies have found that the level of HSP90 is significantly increased in malignant tumors such as breast cancer, and is closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors. Meanwhile, the research on inhibitors targeting HSP90 has also attracted much attention. In this paper, we reviewed the expression of four HSP90 subtypes in breast cancer and their relationship with the clinicopathologic feature and prognosis of patients, discussed the research progress of specific inhibitors of HSP90 subtypes in breast cancer, and analyzed the application prospect of HSP90 as biomarkers for breast cancer prognosis monitoring and therapeutic targets.

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the different brain oxygen metabolism statuses in preeclampsia using magnetic resonance imaging and investigate the factors that affect cerebral oxygen metabolism in preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine women with preeclampsia (mean age 32.4 years; range, 18–44 years), 22 pregnant healthy controls (PHCs) (mean age 30.7 years; range, 23–40 years), and 40 non-pregnant healthy controls (NPHCs) (mean age 32.5 years; range, 20–42 years) were included in this study. Brain oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) values were computed using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) plus quantitative blood oxygen level-dependent magnitude-based OEF mapping (QSM + quantitative blood oxygen level-dependent imaging or QQ) obtained with a 1.5-T scanner. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to investigate the differences in OEF values in the brain regions among the groups. Results: Among the three groups, the average OEF values were significantly different in multiple brain areas, including the parahippocampus, multiple gyri of the frontal lobe, calcarine, cuneus, and precuneus (all P-values were less than 0.05, after correcting for multiple comparisons). The average OEF values of the preeclampsia group were higher than those of the PHC and NPHC groups. The bilateral superior frontal gyrus/bilateral medial superior frontal gyrus had the largest size of the aforementioned brain regions, and the OEF values in this area were 24.2 ± 4.6, 21.3 ± 2.4, and 20.6 ± 2.8 in the preeclampsia, PHC, and NPHC groups, respectively. In addition, the OEF values showed no significant differences between NPHC and PHC. Correlation analysis revealed that the OEF values of some brain regions (mainly involving the frontal, occipital, and temporal gyrus) were positively correlated with age, gestational week, body mass index, and mean blood pressure in the preeclampsia group (r = 0.361–0.812). Conclusion Using whole-brain VBM analysis, we found that patients with preeclampsia had higher OEF values than controls.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of modified Retzius-sparing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for localized transitional zone prostate cancer.Methods:From May 2019 to February 2021, the clinical data of 284 patients with transitional zone(TZ) prostate cancer was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 91 cases underwent modified Retzius-sparing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy(modified RS-RARP), and 193 cases underwent conventional robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP). The Retzius space was directly entered during modified RS-RARP.The mean age of modified RS-RARP group and conventional RARP group was (67.8±9.1) years old and (69.5±8.4) years old, respectively. BMI of the two groups was (21.57±2.25)kg/m 2 and (21.8±1.8)kg/m 2 respectively; prostate volume was (31.2±13.5)ml and (29.3±12.9)ml respectively; preoperative PSA of the two groups were (10.2±6.1)ng/ml and (9.3±5.8)ng/ml respectively; and there was no significant difference in the above mentioned data( P>0.05). For Gleason score, there were 8 cases of score 6, 74 cases of score 7, 9 cases of score 8 in modified RS-RARP group and 21 cases of score 6, 153 cases of score 7, 19 cases of score 8 in conventional RARP group. For Clinical stage, there were 11 cases of T 1 stage, 80 cases of T 2 stage in modified RS-RARP group, and 20 cases of T 1 stage, 173 cases of T 2 stage in conventional RARP group. There was no significant difference in the above mentioned data( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, ratio of transfusion, incidence of complication, positive rate of surgical margin and recovery of urinary continence were compared. Results:All 284 cases of surgery were completed. The operative time of modified RS-RARP was (89.2±10.1) minutes, which was significantly less than that of conventional RARP group[(100.5±12.3)min]. The intraoperative blood loss of the two groups was (245.0±50.0) ml and (250.0±50.0) ml respectively. The number of positive surgical margin was 14(15.4%) and 33(17.1%) respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groupsfor the above mentioned parameters( P>0.05). The ratio of urinary continence recovery in the modified RS-RARP group within 1 month was 49.45%, which was significantly higher than that of conventional RARP group (31.09%)( P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with conventional RARP, modified RS-RARP might shorten the operation time and help the recovery of urinary continence for patients with TZ prostate cancer.